My name is Piuson Yaga, and I am a survivor—though some days, it feels like I am merely existing amid profound hardship. My story is one of unimaginable struggle, borne from a place of love that was twisted into hate. Disowned by my family for simply being who I am—homosexual—I was subjected to brutal violence. I can still feel the pain of that day when my family beat me, leaving my left hand broken and my spirit shattered. In their eyes, I had become a demon—a curse on the family. I had nowhere to turn; in Uganda, being gay is not just frowned upon—it’s a death sentence or a life behind bars.

Seeking where to go, I found temporary shelter with a friend. There, I unexpectedly found love. However, this happiness was short-lived. While visiting my partner one day, we were discovered by his father. I fled, leaving my partner behind, but upon hearing the news that his father and the community had violently attacked him, leaving him for dead on the streets of Kampala, my heart broke all over again. With search parties looking for me, my situation became increasingly perilous. The family I once knew had disowned me, and I knew I could not return.

In 2021, I made the harrowing decision to leave my homeland, crossing borders into Kenya. I hoped to find safety in the Kakuma Refugee Camp. Instead, I was met with a reality that was even more dangerous. The discrimination I faced was relentless; I endured death threats, physical assaults, and was even stoned by those who believed my existence was an affront. After a traumatic and dangerous few years in Kenya, I finally escaped, making my way to South Sudan in January 2024, seeking safety once more.

Now, I find myself within the Gorom Refugee Settlement in South Sudan, where the sounds of war echo around me, but my main concern is not the conflict outside; it’s the survival of myself and my three friends—Lorenzo, Herman, and Peter—who have also fled Uganda because of their identities as transgender individuals. Together, we navigate the unthinkable: sleeping on bare floors without mattresses, scavenging for daily meals, and facing the constant specter of violence and discrimination.

As the only one able to care for my friends, the weight of responsibility is crushing. Each day is a relentless battle against despair. We have no basic necessities—no food, no bedding, no shelter—just the deep bond of shared trauma and the will to survive. We find ourselves needing essentials as basic as mosquito nets, which, without protection, threaten our already fragile health.

Today, I am humbly reaching out for your help, hoping that compassionate hearts will respond to our plight. We are appealing for support to secure daily meals, bedding, and shelter. We need your kindness to help us rebuild our lives in a world that has been so harsh to us. Your generosity could mean the difference between life and death for us.

Together, we can create a story of resilience, hope, and recovery. Please help us to continue this journey toward safety and dignity.

Thank you for considering our plea. Your compassion can change our lives.

My name is Andrew Mason. I met Pius online last year. I am helping him to raise money for the costs of daily living in a refugee camp. Right now Pius has no mattress, no mosquito net, and limited food supplies. I want to help raise money to get these basic necessities of life. Since funds cannot be raised directly for people in South Sudan, I am collecting the money for Pius and will send it to him via the app WorldRemit.