Fidele Wabenga
Fidele Wabenga — Guiding light of Kakuma’s creatives
For over a decade, Fidele Wabenga, 29, has been at the heart of Kakuma Refugee Camp, not just surviving but transforming lives. A Congolese national, Fidele arrived in the camp in 2013 after a harrowing journey that saw him escape violence at home.
“In the DRC, my family faced threats — my sisters and family members were attacked. My father got me out with my uncle. We reached the Red Cross, and they connected us to UNHCR, which brought us to Kakuma,” he recalls.
Life in Kakuma was a struggle. “We came with nothing. There was no food, no water, no security. It felt like a prison. But over time, the people I met here became my family.”
Amid the hardships, Fidele discovered his purpose at STMP — Season of the Time Media Productions, a community-based organization founded in 2011 by Yahunde Batakane. Batakane, a young Congolese refugee himself, started the studio with a mini camcorder, a laptop, and his own savings, teaching children and youth from across the camp to film, edit, and tell stories. STMP became a hub for creativity and empowerment, offering a safe space for learning and artistic expression. Fidele was among Batakane’s earliest students, and as the program grew, he became deeply involved — helping to train new students, assist on productions, and support the studio’s operations. When Batakane moved to Australia, Fidele stepped up to lead STMP, transforming it from a small creative workshop into a thriving platform for refugee storytelling and media training.
“It was not easy at first. We had no equipment, just our passion. We would save every little bit we earned from filming weddings or events to buy cameras and laptops. But what made us stand out wasn’t the equipment — it was our talent, our dedication, our hard work.”
Life has not been without personal challenges. Relocating temporarily to Nairobi due to medical needs and security concerns, Fidele endured the heartbreak of losing his first-born child, yet he remains committed to his work and vision.
“Kakuma is my home. It’s where I know the people, where I understand the community. It’s where my project started, and it’s where I can make the greatest impact.”
For Fidele, being a refugee is not a limitation — it is the foundation of his leadership.
“Refugee to me means someone without support, someone without a choice. But through STMP, through mentorship, through creativity, we can transform those limits into opportunities. We can tell our stories, show our talents, and inspire others.”
Under Fidele’s guidance, STMP has become a hub for creativity and empowerment. Hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds attend classes, eager to learn photography, videography, and editing.
“Kids can have more knowledge than adults — but they need someone to push them, to show them how to grow and use their talent. That’s what STMP does.”
Many of the camp’s now-famous creatives — including Pascal, Steve, Patient, Ali and Janvier — began their journeys under his mentorship.
Fidele’s vision extends beyond Kakuma. He dreams of expanding STMP into the DRC, Burundi, and beyond, creating hubs where refugee talent can be discovered and nurtured. A firm believer in the power of storytelling, Fidele uses media as a tool to amplify refugee voices and inspire change.
“When people see my portrait, I want them to know they’ve found someone who can open doors for young Africa. I can show them how to discover talent, turn stories into opportunities, and bring hope to those who need it most.”
From building his own home in Kakuma to leading one of the camp’s most influential creative platforms, Fidele Wabenga stands as a leader, a mentor, and a changemaker — a guiding light for the next generation of refugee storytellers.