Voices of Resilience

About Voices of Resilience

The number of people who have been forcibly displaced continues to increase alarmingly; as of mid 2022, the UNHCR has reported that for the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has surpassed 100 million. This is a staggering figure in itself, but another tragedy of the enormity of this number is that it often overshadows the fact that every one of those 100+ million is a distinct individual who has had their life irrevocably altered and their inspiring story tends to be buried under the statistics. During the first edition of the Migration Summit in 2022, we hosted various storytelling sessions where we heard from displaced individuals, with the aim of humanising these statistics. Similar to these sessions, we are looking to amplify the voices of some incredible individuals who have overcome obstacles far beyond our imagination. The aim of this podcast is to share the journeys of six individuals striving for the dignified life they deserve. Given that education and employment are often a pivotal part of the road to a financially stable, dignified life, this podcast will share insight on their journeys, with a focus on their education paths and livelihoods. In this podcast, we hope to contribute to the shift in the narrative of refugees across the world and encourage stakeholders and listeners alike to take action. We do not want the label of refugee to define these individuals as powerless victims, instead, we intend to portray them as the determined individuals that they are with full agency to succeed in any way they desire, given the right resources. This podcast series will consist of seven episodes. It will be released in January, in the run-up to the Migration Summit 2023 which will explore the theme “Co-creating pathways to learning, livelihood, and dignity”.

Publisher

Na'amal

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Dec 2022

Latest episode

5 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

31 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Sept 2025

   Unpacking the Choose Africa campaign and what it means for the future of employment and youth empowerment in Africa

   Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal (https://naamal.org/), a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future. Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Lorraine Charles, this conversation features Emmanuel Trinity, social entrepreneur, creative director, and founder of Era92, a Ugandan creative agency and impact organization that equips young people from underserved communities with digital and creative skills. Growing up in the slums of Kampala, Emmanuel experienced firsthand the cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity. Out of that experience, he launched Era92 as a mission-driven agency that not only delivers world-class branding and design for global clients, but also funds training for youth through its Elevate program. To date, Era92 has trained and placed hundreds of young people into dignified digital jobs, and with the #HireAfrica campaign, Emmanuel is working toward creating 10,000 jobs by 2025 and 100,000 by 2032. This episode dives deep into Emmanuel’s journey, the Era92 model of combining business with impact, and why Africa’s “youth bulge” represents not a crisis but a once-in-a-generation opportunity to position the continent as a global hub for creative and digital labor. About Our Guest Emmanuel Trinity (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanueltrinity) is the founder of Era92, a social enterprise and creative agency in Uganda equipping disadvantaged youth with digital skills and connecting them to meaningful work opportunities. Through initiatives like the Elevate program and the Choose Africa campaign, Emmanuel is reimagining how Africa’s young talent can meet global demand for digital services. He has been featured by outlets like BBC Africa for his pioneering role in building dignified employment pathways for young creatives. About Our Co-Host Lorraine Charles is the co-founder and Executive Director of Na’amal (https://naamal.org/), leading efforts to connect refugees and underserved youth to dignified employment in the digital economy. A researcher and thought leader on the future of work and displacement, she works with governments, NGOs, and businesses to design inclusive systems for digital livelihoods. Episode Highlights Emmanuel’s Journey Growing up in Kampala’s slums and the turning point that led to founding Era92 Balancing mission and sustainability while building a global creative agency The Era92 Model How the Elevate program trains and prepares youth for creative work Stories of graduates who have transitioned into remote and agency roles Why mindset shifts and confidence-building are as important as technical skills Introducing #HireAfrica Vision: creating 10,000 jobs by 2025 and 100,000 by 2032 Why this campaign matters now and how it builds on Era92’s success The role of partnerships, platforms, and global employers in scaling impact Global Labor Trends & Africa’s Youth Why Africa’s youth bulge is an opportunity, not a crisis The mismatch between global demand for digital services and African underemployment How remote work and creative industries can unlock Africa’s workforce potential Challenges & Opportunities Barriers: infrastructure, inclusivity, funding Opportunities: digital upskilling, entrepreneurship, global hiring shifts Ensuring dignity and avoiding extractive outsourcing models Closing Reflections Emmanuel’s advice for African youth: lessons from his journey What global businesses and allies can do to support Choose Africa The one opportunity Africa must not miss in the next decade Discussion Topics Balancing business and impact in creative industries The Choose Africa vision and its potential to reshape global hiring Bridging gaps between African talent and global demand Inclusive digital economies and systems for youth empowerment Building pathways beyond training: jobs, dignity, and entrepreneurship Connect with Our Guest 🌍 Era92 Website: https://era92.com (https://era92.com) 🎨 Era92 Creative (Agency): https://era92creative.com (https://era92creative.com) 🎓 Era92 Elevate Training Program: https://era92elevate.org (https://era92elevate.org) 📽️ Emmanuel Trinity – Founder Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On4Wf3rIzfw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On4Wf3rIzfw) 🎥 Era92: Training Young Creatives in Uganda (BBC Africa feature): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtYcNz9pTBE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtYcNz9pTBE) 🔗 Era92 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/era92 (https://www.linkedin.com/company/era92) 👤 Emmanuel Trinity on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanueltrinity (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanueltrinity) Connect with Us: Na'amal Website: namal.org (https://www.google.com/search?q=namal.org) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all  (https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all) Instagram: _naamal_ (https://www.instagram.com/_naamal_/?hl=en)

2. 

   15 Aug 2025

   From Refugee Camp to Remote Work: Africa’s Future Is Already Here

   Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal (https://naamal.org/), a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future. Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Camila Massa, this conversation features Vestine Ihimbazwe, a business development leader, digital strategist, and youth tech mentor who grew up in Kakuma Refugee Camp and has lived there for over 16 years. Vestine shares her journey from navigating limited educational opportunities to leading initiatives that equip young women with coding, AI, and remote work skills, proving that refugee talent is not just employable but a driver of Africa’s digital future. About Our Guest: Vestine Leila Ihimbazwe (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vestine-ihimbazwe/) is known for bridging global clients with African refugee talent. Through her work with refugee-led hubs like the Solidarity Initiative for Refugees (SIR), she mentors young women in tech, opening pathways into coding, AI, and freelancing. A proud Pan-Africanist, she is dedicated to shifting the narrative from refugees as aid recipients to innovators and changemakers in the digital economy. About Our Co-Host: Camila Massa (https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-massa-2a689a174/) is the Program Coordinator for MIT Emerging Talent and the MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT), where she develops education-to-employment programs for underserved communities worldwide. She also supports the MIT Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL) and coordinates the Migration Summit, a global event bringing together stakeholders to address challenges faced by refugee and migrant communities. With a background in business and a passion for social development, Camila brings both global perspective and practical experience to the conversation. Episode Highlights From Kakuma to the Global Digital Economy Vestine’s life growing up in Kakuma and the turning points that made remote work seem possible The steep challenges of accessing quality education and career pathways in a refugee camp Early steps into digital skills training and securing her first remote clients Breaking Barriers in Displacement Overcoming limited internet access, scarce technology, and gender-based barriers How family and community perceptions of “remote work” have shifted over time The role of mentorship, peer networks, and online communities in building confidence and expertise Remote Work as Africa’s Next Big Leap Why remote work is reshaping traditional ideas of employment for African youth, especially in displacement The digital skills Vestine believes will be most in demand for the next generation How companies and platforms can design systems that include talent from refugee camps and rural areas A Vision for Africa’s Future of Work Predictions for what digital work in Kakuma and similar contexts could look like in 5–10 years Practical steps governments, NGOs, and global businesses can take to scale digital inclusion How storytelling can shift mindsets and influence policy Advice and Inspiration Vestine’s message to young Africans who feel “stuck” in their current circumstances The crucial role mentorship and networks play in turning skills into opportunity Why the world should see refugee camps not just as humanitarian spaces, but as hubs of innovation and talent Discussion Topics: Bridging the digital divide in displacement contexts Gender equity in remote work The role of refugee-led hubs in digital skill development How policy and infrastructure shape access to remote opportunities Global collaboration for inclusive future-of-work systems Connect with Us: Na'amal Website: namal.org (https://www.google.com/search?q=namal.org) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all  (https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all) Instagram: _naamal_ (https://www.instagram.com/_naamal_/?hl=en)

3. 

   9 Aug 2025

   The Payments Barrier: Financial Inclusion in a Fragmented System

   Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal (https://naamal.org/), a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future. Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Lorraine Charles, this conversation features Nick Murphy, CEO and Co-Founder of Kutana Pay, a fintech company reimagining payments across Africa and other emerging markets. Nick shares how his decade of experience helping UK and EU companies expand into Africa revealed a massive problem, slow, expensive, and inaccessible payments, and why removing that friction is essential for unlocking economic opportunity. About Our Guest: Nick Murphy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-murphy-09010213a/) leads strategy, growth, and mission at Kutana Pay, which is working to build a world where financial borders no longer hold people or businesses back. Kutana Pay’s platform enables companies in the Global North to send payments into emerging markets, while giving African SMEs and individuals access to global currencies in a secure, cost-effective, and compliant way. About Kutana Pay: With a focus on robust compliance, smart treasury systems, and financial inclusion, Kutana Pay addresses the two-way challenge of moving money into and out of African markets. Their mission is rooted in creating payment infrastructure that supports trade, digital work, and the participation of marginalized communities in the global economy. Episode Highlights The Payments Barrier and Why It Matters How slow, expensive cross-border systems, built for the West, exclude much of Africa from global markets Why access to USD and other major currencies is critical for importing goods, paying workers, and enabling digital work The two waves of African fintech: sending money in (diaspora remittances) vs. sending money out (trade and services) The Role of Compliance and Documentation How KYC (Know Your Customer) rules can exclude refugees and people without formal IDs Balancing compliance with access, Kutana Pay’s approach to saying “yes” first and solving documentation hurdles creatively The human impact of being shut out from financial systems, particularly for displaced individuals earning digitally Kutana Pay’s Model and Innovations What onboarding, verification, and secure transfers look like in practice Building trust through infrastructure and partnerships with NGOs, employers, and payment processors Stories that show the tangible impact of inclusive payment systems Systemic Solutions for Financial Inclusion Policy and regulatory changes that could open up access for millions The role of private sector innovation vs. government-led reform What an inclusive, human-centered payments ecosystem could look like, and how to avoid replicating old patterns of exclusion Discussion Topics: Why cross-border payments are critical for enabling digital work in Africa Financial barriers faced by refugees and marginalized people Trust, infrastructure, and systemic reform in Africa’s financial landscape Designing inclusive systems that work for everyone, everywhere Connect with Us: Na'amal Website: namal.org (https://www.google.com/search?q=namal.org) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all  (https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all) Instagram: _naamal_ (https://www.instagram.com/_naamal_/?hl=en)

Who has been a guest on Voices of Resilience

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Sharmi Surianarain
• Elvis Melia
• Brenda
• Simon

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

70

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Voices of Resilience

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.