My name is Septimus. I grew up in Guinea Conakry with my Father. Currently I’m in Freetown. This is my story;

I never planned to ever come out as gay and to be honest i never actually really did because i knew that my father had zero tolerance for people like me. I would often hear him express disgust on the few occasions the topic of sexuality and queerness is raised. My mother passed away when my little sister was born and my father has been doing what he knows how to do best while trying to raise us.

Growing up I just never really fit in with “The Boys” and I always felt different, I just knew that I wasn’t anything like my father, I wasn’t masculine enough according to him and he would hit me, humiliate me in front of my classmates all in in a bid to try and make me more “masculine” and all that did was make me pretend and a very good liar.

At least I thought I was a good liar until my father found out about my boyfriend and I. The response was swift, forceful and I was beaten. The worst of it all was his threat to expose me to the whole community and even involve the police. I had to hide and pack the few belongings I owned along with my dog and ran away late at night while he was asleep.

I had to take the dog along because I know my father hated her deep down, I knew he would not care for her, and my sister, well she’s too young to care for it. I found my dog Star as a stray about a year ago and I fell in love with her and cared for her ever since.

I arrived in Freetown - Sierra Leone on the 3 weeks ago and I got temporary residence in a shared room with 4 others which unfortunately expires this week, star and i will be forced to move to the streets. I know things will be easier for me if I had just left Star but I couldn’t leave her to suffer and now I feel guilty because she’s suffering with me.

Things have not been easy, I only recently completed high school and getting any meaningful job in a city where I don't know people has been a real challenge. I’ve been doing labor at a construction site for a daily wage that’s close to nothing but at least gets me food for the day. While I work I leave star with some street kids who are fortunately very fond of her.

I really need help and I would never do this if we really didn’t need help. Star and i need just a little help with:

Accomodation:

I will really need help finding permanent accommodation rented for a year. We just need a place to rest our heads

Work:

I also want to fend for Star and I so we don’t have to beg or depend on help from others. As such I would really also like to buy a tricycle which I can ride and use for transport business to generate some income for survival.

My Dream:

I know my situation is not the most peculiar and there are people suffering much worse fates in Sierra leone and around the world. While still experiencing what I am going through, I will really not like anyone to go through the same thing. I don’t know how it will happen, but I really hope one day I could provide a home and shelter for people like me in LGBT community in Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry, who need urgent help and support. But my biggest dream has always been to own an animal shelter for strays and wounded animals. My country has none and it has broken my heart ever since I was a child.

I know I can't do anything about that for now, And maybe if I can’t help them all I could at least use my home as a shelter to help a few strays. I am putting it out into the universe and dreaming for it to come to pass.

Conclusion:

Reaching out here seems to be our only last hope or lifeline for survival and will appreciate any little contribution.

Any help will be most appreciated, even if not a donation, a point in the right direction could yield massive help for me. Sharing this message on social networks and the rest can also be of valuable help.

If you were able to read this far, you have already helped. Thanks for your support and time.

I will be giving updates and also sharing a few pictures.