Late last year, close to 200 LGBTIQ refugees were relocated from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to a new space just outside Nairobi. They needed to move because they weren’t safe – they were facing harassment and physical violence because of their identity. Their home in Kakuma had been ransacked, leaving them with next to nothing.
In this new, highly secure center in Nairobi, which was once a gated school, people arrived with just the clothes on their back. While they were given blankets, the folks were in need of most basic things.
But people weren’t allowed in and out of the Center, due to personal security issues. That’s where we came in.
These refugees weren’t able to access the things they needed – and even if they did, they didn’t have the money to buy them.
Luckily, we were able to distribute cartfulls of basic toiletries – soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sanitary pads, helping this community regain their dignity.
“It’s amazing what you’re doing for these people,” said Mohammed, a friend and LGBTIQ ally. “They’ve suffered so much already and you are all so committed to making their lives a little easier. It’s inspiring.”
