Catherin Dunk

We just took out the first amount from your wonderfully generous donations in order to purchase women's sanitary pads for lesbians in need in the community AND to help with medical costs for a trans individual who was severely beaten around a month ago (including a broken jaw, one eye badly damaged) and still has not been properly treated. Your donations are making a big difference to these lives.

My name is Catherin (she/they), a member of the queer community in Australia. I'm helping raise money for my LGBTQ+ friends in a refugee settlement in Uganda, East Africa. In 2023 the Ugandan government passed extremely harsh anti-homosexuality laws. It's illegal to be gay, and you can be jailed for life or even subject to the death sentence. Mandatory reporting means it's not safe to reveal your identity, leaving you isolated. This new legislation translates into terrible discrimination towards queer refugees, and horrendous physical abuse. LGBTQ+ people living in the refugee camp are often violently beaten and left for dead---and then refused care (and understandably fearful about seeking it) in public hospitals. There's an article with more on the situation here. I'm setting up an emergency fund so that people who've been attacked can seek private treatment. We also want to help isolated people find community. The fund will: Pay for private medical care when public hospitals refuse to treat queer individuals. This includes emergency treatment, medication, and follow-up care for injuries sustained in attacks. Provide emergency food and hygiene supplies for individuals who have been cut off from accessing food distribution programs and left to starve. Offer safe temporary shelter for those evicted from their homes or fleeing immediate danger. Run small community workshops where refugees can learn skills, share resources, and find strength in each other. Cover emergency transport for individuals who need to relocate quickly when their safety is threatened. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly to the people who need it most. With your help: $5 = a meal for one person $10 = clean water and food for a day $25 = emergency hygiene supplies for 5 people $50 = private medical consultation for someone unable to access public care $100 = a month of safe shelter and hot meals for someone at risk $200 = emergency transport to relocate someone in danger $1000 = setting up an income generating activity to benefit up to 25 refugees We'll be transparent about every dollar raised, sharing updates and stories on how funds are used. We're not a big organisation, just two people helping some other people. Join us! We know times are hard for everyone. We know $5 or $10 feels small. But to someone who has not eaten in days or who is bleeding and cannot find care, your $5 is everything. If you cannot give, please share this campaign. A share could reach someone who can. To my LGBTQ+ refugee friends: I see you. I hear you. I will not abandon you. To everyone reading this: please do not look away. These are real people living through a nightmare. Together, we can bring them a little light, a little hope, and a real chance to survive.