Thank you all so much for your donations! The situation is still dire there so if you have the means to donate l, please cons
der doing so!
Hi, my name is Brie and I'm fundraising to help a group of 3 LGBTIQ families to escape discrimination, torture, abuse, attacks, harassment and hatred at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
Life is hard and tricky. Imagine you have been having a family all along fine and free then there comes a time when everyone is against you not because you are bad but because of who you are. I was tortured by my family members through out of the family, threatened to death and mob justified by my community. I was neglected and had no one to help or depend on.
Luckily, I had some money on me so decided to run to Kenya. My first months in Kenya were full of stress and loneliness but I was able to sustain my self with basics till when all I had was done sold some valuables to keep up but failed here .
That is when I decided to join the UNHCR refugee agency of Kenya. I was registered and put into Kakuma refugee camp where everything turned again being bad and suffering in a desert area.
Here the UNHCR officials were local people from the host community (Turkana). I had never been in the situations I was in before. Imagine being denied social services like Medication, security by the Kenyan police to an extent that some people that I found there committed suicide. Lives were lost due to the night attacks that were made by the fellow refugees and at times the host community (Turkana). Life has been hard and torturing in a way that we can’t access public places due to our gender identity. It has been so hard and bad on us.
The refugees are still in the east African country and their cases for resettlement are being turned over to other countries. They have interviews on occasion, but no timeline on resettlement. Food is expensive and the location dangerous.
Due to Trump's recent Executive Order freezing all refugee resettlement, the lgbtqi refugees in an unnamed, but very dangerous location, are no longer able to be resettled in the US.
The east African country is increasingly dangerous and food is getting more expensive, especially at the camp, where the refugees need to stay to avoid violence.
They are hoping to have their cases taken up by other countries like Canada or in Europe. They need money for food, medicine, and household goods to survive until then.
What they get from WFP or UNHCR is insufficient, due to the high prices and terrible exchange rates. The money we have been providing has been essential in allowing their survival.
Please, anything you can share is very useful.
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE WE AS THE LGBTIQ
1. Violence and Discrimination: Living in a hostile environment, we confront daily threats to our safety and well-being solely because of our sexual orientation, identities and expression. Homophobic refugees and host community subject us to physical, emotional, and psychological violence, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination that exacerbates our suffering.
2. Unemployment and Economic Disadvantage: Discrimination extends to the job market and refugee centers, severely limiting employment opportunities for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The resulting unemployment further compounds our vulnerability and restricts access to essential resources and services.
3. Limited Access to Basic Necessities: The camp's harsh conditions pose additional challenges as we struggle with insufficient food, clothing, clean water, and vital nutrition. Basic necessities such as cooking essentials, toothpaste, and pads for lesbians are luxuries we often lack, leaving us in a perpetual state of hardship.
4. Health and Safety Risks: The semi-arid climate of Kakuma Camp is host to sharp thornes and poisonous creatures, including scorpions, endangering our lives on a daily basis. Access to proper medical care is limited, exposing us to various health risks and making it difficult to address both physical and mental health concerns.
Our call from you our fellow LGBTQIA+ people and well wishers
We are reaching out to you, kind-hearted individuals and organizations who recognize that love knows no boundaries. By contributing to our fundraising efforts, you can help alleviate the suffering of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Kakuma Camp and restore hope in our lives. Your support, no matter how small, will have a meaningful impact on our vulnerable community. Together, we can effect positive change and foster an environment of acceptance, understanding, and equality.
How Your Donation Will Make a Difference:
1. Safety and Security: Your donations will enable us to establish safe spaces within the camp, where LGBTQIA+ individuals can find solace, support, and protection from violence and discrimination. We will work towards fostering an environment that values diversity and promotes acceptance.
2. Empowerment and Education: By investing in educational programs and vocational training, we can empower LGBTQIA+ individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment and become self-sufficient. This will enable us to break the cycle of poverty and dependency.
3. Access to Basic Necessities: Your generous contributions will help us provide essential resources such as food, clothing, clean water, cooking essentials, toiletries, and other daily necessities that are currently lacking in our lives. Together, we can ensure that no LGBTQIA+ person in Kakuma Camp goes without these vital provisions.
4. Healthcare
With your support, we aim to provide accessible healthcare facilities to our fellow LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers who get left outside the line of receiving proper medical care due to the discrimination and persecution that extends up to the all refugee medical centers
Conclusion:
As members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we are forced to endure unimaginable hardships and discrimination in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Your support can make a difference by providing hope, dignity, and equality to LGBTQIA+ individuals who are suffering in silence. We seek for all your support , please share this information as you help us create a voice of awareness.
