I'm back with Doreen, from the Refugee Trans Initiative, who never fails to inspire me. She's always dreaming up new ways to think of a better tomorrow for her friends and the rest of the LGBTIQ refugee community in Nairobi. One fine Kenyan winter day, we spent many hours with RTI thinking about how their small businesses could grow further into support systems not only for the residents, in their safe house, but beyond. And it was during this day we heard about “Silent Scream Board” idea (which I still think is a brilliant idea to promote wellbeing!), and another new idea around storytelling integrated into holistic spa services. The RTI spa had been doing well, but the team running the initiative reached a point where they felt like they needed to re-evaluate their strategy moving forward. Doreen told us with excitement that they were developing a plan “to train fellow LGBTIQ refugees in beauty therapy – a combination of spa and [talk] therapy skills.” She went on to say … [Read more...] about Telling Their Own Stories

The Refugee Trans Initiative has another inspirational thought leader, the co-founder and current lead of RTI - Vanilla. Our team has followed Vanilla's journey for months, even before there was a formal community-based organization called RTI. We've been there for the initiation of the organization, development and expansion of the spa business, and overall growth of their safe house. Where we haven't been able to support projects directly, we've provided connections and moral support because we believe so deeply in Vanilla's vision for the transgender refugee community. During one our recent conversations, Vanilla and I were talking about leadership skills, specifically about strategies she uses to ensure peace and stability in their safe house. The LGBTIQ refugee community faces many barriers. And given these experiences, they often don't know where their next meal will come from. Many leaders, including Vanilla, have told us stories of people in their houses only eating … [Read more...] about Hop to It

Hello hello from Nairobi, where my colleagues (and friends!), Jamie, Zeinab, and I, are once again working as part of a team to support the LGBTIQ refugee community! You may remember the series of projects we implemented earlier this year in response to an emergency relocation of nearly 200 refugees due to security and protection gaps in Kakuma Refugee camp, where they were staying. We also met many others living in urban Nairobi, part of a 500+ community. It broke our hearts to see the marginalization coupled with homophobia many in the community faced, but believe me when I say there were an equal number of bright spots - both amazing people and beautiful moments - that gave us such a strong sense of hope! This time around, we mostly checked in with the small community-based organizations, which had emerged over time from within the community themselves. These organizations, known as CBOs, are usually one of the first places people turn to for support. As Kenn from one of … [Read more...] about You Are More Than Enough

Even if you have a room that holds your belongings, or where you spend lots of time, it doesn’t necessarily always feel like your own. Especially if you don't have the personal touches that look and feel like you. Today, we’re finishing up a project with two Ugandans who had a dream of opening a spa together. Now that they had their space, it was time to make it personal. To help them make the shop really feel like their own, we helped them get paint and furniture, in addition to the beauty supplies we helped them shop for yesterday. The two new spa owners picked out the colors and items they liked best, and then designed a sign to be hung out front and attract customers. “Spending the day with and shopping these two individuals demonstrated the passion and vision they have for their new business," said Jonah from the ARC team. "Seeing their salon in-progress made me incredibly excited for the beautiful space they are creating and for the empowerment that business … [Read more...] about Making it Personal

We spent yesterday working with two Ugandan refugees living in Nairobi. They had a dream of one day opening a spa of their own. Not only could it be a livelihood for the two, but it could be a space where they can be welcoming to all. After Day 97, they have their very own space! Today, we're getting the supplies necessary for running the successful business they want to create. The duo plan to offer a number of services — facial therapy, eyebrow shaping, nail extensions, gel and cutex polishing, plus manicures, pedicures, and acrylic nails. To attract a range of customers, they need a range of supplies, too. So we went out to a few shops and bought many of these supplies — face masks and exfoliating scrubs, nail clippers and emery boards, regular polish and gel polish...the works! “I forget how many small details go into businesses like this, but these two totally had everything down," said Samantha from the ARC team. "We could sit and budget out the supplies before … [Read more...] about Polishing Things Up

Whether it’s a piano for a budding pianist, or a mathematics textbook for a talented student, access to specific resources can open the world to the right person. Two Ugandan refugees we met in Nairobi were looking for exactly that. They'd fled Uganda after the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2013, and came to Kenya to seek refuge. The two met and became fast friends, realizing they had so much in common. Both had been trained as beauticians in Uganda — one specializing in hair and nails, and the other in makeup. They had a dream of opening their own spa together. We wanted to help them make this dream come true. So after spending a couple of weeks looking for a space, they finally decided on a small site tucked in between a number of other shops, and close to a main road that would direct a lot of traffic their way. We covered the first few months rent and helped with a deposit. Then they were off and running - a new spa, and a new beginning! “We have been … [Read more...] about A Space of Their Own

Shadia is a 20 year old single mom who fled Uganda, fearing for her safety after anti-gay laws were passed there. Not only is she strong and resilient young woman, she’s also a leader in her community as the founder of the Foundation for Lesbian Bisexual Queer Women Refugees. As Shadia puts it, women in the LGBTI community are especially vulnerable, and that’s why she’s dedicated herself to supporting women like her. But Shadia's facing a problem - the organization is low on funds. So she had an idea...she wants to start a jewelry business to fuel the group. And we were excited to help! Shadia took us to her favourite shops to buy supplies in Nairobi. We got beads, chains, strings and jewels in all sorts of colors. Shadia had an experienced jewelry maker train the members of FLBQR, and now the ladies are making bracelets, necklaces and rings. All the profit will go towards running group. Shadia is a bright star in her community. With a little boost to her idea, she'll … [Read more...] about Making a Difference

One of the friends we've made in Nairobi is Mbazira Moses. He's the Executive Director of Refugee Flag Kakuma, a local organization that supports and advocates for LGBTIQ+ refugees. He’s also a trusted community leader that works tirelessly to make sure the people around him are safe and cared for. He serves as a voice for the LGBTIQ+ refugee community living in Kenya and around the world. During the heightened protection issues in Kakuma Refugee Camp in December, Moses was one of many who was attacked by the police and local community. He was brutally beaten and his phone was destroyed and then confiscated. He arrived in new center in Nairobi without a phone, which meant that he really didn’t have any way to communicate with the outside world - including fellow community members living in urban Nairobi, those that remained in Kakuma, and others around the world who turned to him for updates about the community. When he could, he borrowed his friend’s phone. … [Read more...] about Thank You, Mbazira

The weather between Nairobi and Kakuma Refugee Camp is like night and day. Even though both are in Kenya, Nairobi’s temperatures drop significantly in the evening. In the desert environment of Kakuma, it's always hot and sandy. The group of LGBTIQ+ refugees from Kakuma we’ve met in the past few days are newly arrived in Nairobi, where warm clothes are a necessity. Most of the refugees that were relocated to the safe center came with just the clothes on their backs. The nights were cold and oftentimes unbearable, causing sickness and discomfort. We asked this community what other essentials they needed to make their lives a bit more comfortable. They were quick with their answer – they needed sweaters. With the help of one of our contacts at the center, we were able to purchase warm jumps in all the appropriate sizes for each adult there. And as the temperatures drop, a small difference today will make a world of change tonight. … [Read more...] about Safe and Warm

Yesterday we spent some time with LGBTIQ refugees who had fled Kakuma Refugee Camp, facing harassment and violence. There were more people, however, who fled for the same reasons - but because they left outside of official channels, they weren't allowed into the new safe space the whole group was a part of. New to Nairobi without any belongings, food, money, or contacts, they were forced to camp outside. One of the first things our team did once we were in Nairobi was visit this small group of people. We learned that they were struggling to get the support they needed. Many of them had not eaten in days. So we acted quickly, ordering food and drinks for everyone, assisted with medications and jumpers. We also connected them with local LGBTIQ community based organizations that operate safe houses, so that they could finally have a place to stay. … [Read more...] about Acting Quickly