On November 8, 2025, the Orangerie Theater in Cologne became a meeting place for hundreds of people brought together by a shared curiosity for Kenya, its culture, and the people building connections between Cologne, Nairobi, and Kakuma.
Together with Treasures of Kenya e.V., Source – Network for Humanitarian Action e.V. organized JAMBO DAY 2025 — an interdisciplinary cultural festival featuring music, film, fashion, talks, photography, food, and community exchange. Throughout the day, the festival created space for dialogue, encounter, and new perspectives on Kenya beyond stereotypes.
The event brought together a diverse audience: members of the Kenyan community, artists, students, NGO workers, travelers, and many visitors who were discovering Kenyan culture more closely for the first time.
Highlights included the concert by Kenyan singer Nina Ogot, the screening of the award-winning film NAWI – Dear Future Me, the “Kenyan Chic” fashion show by Brenda Chebet, and live insights into the Kakuma Refugee Camp and our educational work on the ground.
One particularly meaningful moment was the live call with Bahana Mirindi, the director of our computer and education center in Kakuma, as well as Vestine Leila, who successfully completed our courses and has since started building his own professional career. Both shared personal insights into daily life in the camp, the challenges of displacement, and the importance of education, digital skills, and long-term opportunities. This direct exchange captured an essential part of our mission: not only providing short-term support, but creating sustainable opportunities, independence, and future perspectives.
For us, one of the most meaningful aspects of the day was the openness and engagement of the audience. Throughout the festival, many new conversations, partnerships, and connections emerged that will continue to strengthen our humanitarian and cultural work in the future. JAMBO DAY was not only a festival, but also a space for genuine exchange and collaboration.
We would like to thank all artists, contributors, volunteers, and guests who made this day possible.
You can find a photo gallery with impressions from the event here.
