The Empowerment through Education Foundation (ETE) was started in 2005 by Micklina Kenyi, who came to the United States as a refugee in 2004 during the genocide that has claimed the lives of over 2 million people.  Originally called the Community of South Sudanese and American Women, the mission has been to provide K-12 educational opportunities for South Sudanese girls in Ugandan refugee camps and vocational training for diaspora communities in Kenya and Uganda.

 

In 2016, a civil war erupted in South Sudan displacing millions who sought shelter in refugee camps in neighboring Uganda. Prior to this, ETE was planning the initial building phase for a school campus in South Sudan. When the war disrupted these plans, ETE pivoted to address the immediate needs of these girls. Soon after, ETE gained approval from six Ugandan refugee camps to send young girls to primary and secondary boarding schools. ETE works closely with the schools, families and refugee camps to send these courageous girls to safe boarding schools where they can thrive.

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Ms. Kenyi’s documentary film chronicling the lives of several of the South Sudanese women who immigrated to Boulder (The Dawn Will Break) was featured as part of the 2021 Conference on World Affairs (University of Colorado). She has been the recipient of the Channel 7 Everyday Hero Award, The Community Service Award for Women and Gender Empowerment and the Award for Women Who Make a Difference Globally.