For the first time ever, a team of 10 refugees is competing in the Olympic Games. Also for the first time, the Kenyan refugees at Kakuma are able to watch the Olympic events to support their fellow refugees.
Huge turn out for last nights #Olympics broadcast. 3 days to go until we are supporting Team Kakuma! #TeamRefugeespic.twitter.com/Id70jg6wyH
— FilmAid Kenya (@filmaidkenya) August 9, 2016
Thanks to volunteer efforts, the Olympics can actually be enjoyed by everyone at Kakuma. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) teamed up with FilmAid, a nonprofit that uses film to help refugees by providing them with information about their rights, health, safety and well-being, to broadcast the Rio Games in Camp Kakuma, where five of the 10 teammates are from.
Photos show hundreds of people gathered around the screens that were set up on the camp to display the Games.
Read More: 2016 Rio Olympics: Meet the Athletes of the All-Refugee Team
Keefe Murren, FilmAid managing director, said the Refugee Olympic Team project gives refugees a chance to contribute to the rest of the world.
Mashable - Refugees in Kenya are cheering on their Olympic heroes https://t.co/RXcaV7zz2x
— Elephant Tech News (@ElephantTechno) August 10, 2016
“We applaud the IOC for giving refugee athletes a chance to compete, for calling attention to the refugee crisis, and for recognizing the need to support communities of displaced people around the world,” he said.
People around the world have been inspired by the stories of the refugee athletes, especially those who are most affected by displacement. Now, these people will have the chance to support their heroes by cheering them on at the Games from Kenya.
The events are being streamed all 16 days.
Read More: 2016 Rio Olympics: Guide: Everything Global Citizens Need to Know
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