Born into War, Built for Change: Mary Maker on Refugee Education and Opportunity

Episode Summary When Mary Maker fled South Sudan as a child, she carried little more than memories, trauma, and the hope of survival. Today, she is a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, TEDx speaker, education activist, and co-founder of Elimisha Kakuma, a university preparation program helping refugee students access higher education around the world. In this powerful conversation, Mary shares her journey from escaping civil war and growing up in Kakuma Refugee Camp to studying in the United States and advocating globally for refugee education. Along the way, she challenges us to rethink what it means to be displaced, what opportunity truly looks like, and why refugees must have a seat at the table when decisions about their futures are made. This episode is a story of resilience, belonging, education, and the extraordinary ripple effect that can happen when someone invests in human potential. We Discuss: • Fleeing South Sudan as a child and the realities of life during war • Growing up in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya • The role education played in transforming her future • The cultural challenges of arriving in the United States • Founding Elimisha Kakuma to help refugee students access university opportunities • Why refugee voices must be included in global policy and humanitarian discussions • How individuals and organizations can support displaced communities Mary's story is a powerful reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Key Moments 01:24 – Escaping South Sudan: Mary's earliest memories of war, loss, and fleeing home 05:33 – Arriving in Kakuma Refugee Camp and discovering what it means to live in limbo 07:03 – How education became a lifeline and changed the trajectory of her future 14:10 – Becoming a teacher in the refugee camp and confronting the limits of opportunity 17:10 – The scholarship opportunity that took her from Kakuma to Rwanda and eventually the United States 22:37 – Navigating culture shock, college life, and belonging in America 27:30 – Founding Elimisha Kakuma to help refugee students access higher education 37:06 – Why partnerships and advocacy are critical to expanding refugee education worldwide 48:40 – Mary's challenge to institutions: Stop building solutions for refugees without refugees at the table About Mary Maker Mary Maker is an educator, speaker, and refugee education advocate. A graduate of St. Olaf College, she works to expand educational opportunity for displaced youth and elevate refugee leadership in conversations shaping the future of global education. Connect with Mary Maker: https://marymaker.org/ https://www.elimishakakuma.org/ https://www.unhcr.org/us/prominent-supporters/mary-maker https://www.instagram.com/marymaker_43/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-maker/ https://www.ted.com/talks/mary_maker_why_i_fight_for_the_education_of_refugee_girls_like_me?language=en&delay=30s&subtitle=en Continue the Conversation The thinking continues beyond the mic. Explore essays, reflections, and extended conversations on Substack: https://substack.com/@robbinjorgensen Connect with Robbin Jorgensen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/ Supporting Sponsor As a woman navigating financial decisions — especially when the system wasn’t built with you in mind — having the right partner matters. For three decades, Godfrey Financial has intentionally centered women in financial decision-making — not as an afterthought, but as leaders. In a field where women are often expected to sit to the side, Godfrey Financial places women at the head of the table — creating space where women don’t just discuss confidence and agency, but experience it in practice. Learn more at: https://godfreyfinancial.com