From Dadaab Refugee Camp to Youth Mentor: Faisal Gives Back to the Community That Raised Him
Growing up in Dadaab refugee camp, Faisal dreamed of one day giving back to the community that raised him.
Today, he is turning that ambition into reality.
As a UN Volunteer with UNICEF’s Youth on the Move initiative, Faisal works with children and young people in Dadaab, helping them access opportunities, skills and support that can shape their futures.
His journey from growing up in the camp to supporting its young people reflects the transformative power of investing in refugee and displaced communities.
Having experienced the challenges of growing up in Dadaab, Faisal brings a personal understanding of the aspirations and obstacles facing young people in the camp. Through his work, he encourages children and youth to recognise their potential and pursue opportunities in education, skills development and community engagement.
For Faisal, giving back is also about showing young people that their circumstances do not have to determine their future.
“If I made it, then everyone else can make it,” he said.
Speaking ahead of International Youth Day 2026, Faisal said that while young people’s lives are shaped by different national and local realities, their aspirations are remarkably similar.
He said young people across countries increasingly face interconnected challenges involving education, employment, climate change, digital inclusion and mental well-being.
“Across countries and communities, young people seek dignity, opportunity, meaningful participation, decent work, quality education, and a sustainable future,” he said.
Young people are also developing practical and creative solutions to local and global challenges. From climate action and digital entrepreneurship to community-led initiatives and social innovation, they continue to demonstrate leadership, even in resource-constrained settings.
This year’s International Youth Day theme places particular attention on young people living in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where youth often face overlapping challenges linked to poverty, climate change, geographic isolation, limited economic opportunities and unequal access to digital technologies.
“At the same time, these young people continue to demonstrate resilience, leadership, and innovation in advancing sustainable development within their communities and beyond,” Faisal said.
Faisal’s experience demonstrates how investing in young people can create a ripple effect, with those who benefit from opportunities going on to support others in their communities.
In Dadaab, where generations of refugees have grown up, his story offers a message of possibility: with the right support and opportunities, young people can overcome barriers and become agents of change within their own communities.
The stakes are significant. The world is home to nearly 1.3 billion young people aged 15 to 24, making this the largest generation of youth to date.
By 2050, an estimated 69 per cent of the world’s youth will live in low- and lower-middle-income countries, up from 59 per cent in 2025. Meanwhile, the youth population in high- and upper-middle-income countries is projected to decline by nearly 24 per cent between 2025 and 2050.
Yet young people continue to face serious risks. Injuries account for nearly half of all youth deaths in low-income countries and more than half in upper-middle-income and high-income countries.
For young people in places such as Dadaab, however, Faisal’s story offers a powerful reminder that opportunity can change the trajectory of a life—and that those who receive support can become the people who create opportunities for the next generation.
From a child growing up in a refugee camp to a mentor helping its young people discover their potential, Faisal is now giving back to the community that helped shape him.
