FHI Safe Space (Shelter) For LGBTQ Refugees In Kenya

• BACKGROUND:

Freedom House Initiative is an LGBTQ refugee led community-based organization (CBO) founded by LGBTQ Refugees after fleeing from Uganda because of discrimination we faced in our community due to our gender identity. Upon arriving in Kenya, we were relocated to Kakuma refugee camp.

At Kakuma our challenges escalated and after experiencing violence in forms of homophobic attacks, we were relocated to Nairobi with others.

Once resettling in Nairobi, we found a more affordable housing options at Limuru-Kenya about an hour outside Nairobi. As a group we found ourselves with no money and struggled to find food independently. After establishing ourselves in a new community, other refugees joined us. So, we took the responsibility in caring for our fellow at-risk asylum seekers/refugees. That is how FREEDOM HOUSE INITIATIVE (FHI) was born.

• OUR VISION:

To become hub of excellence for sustainable skills training, advocacy and support.

• MISSION:

To equip at-risk asylum seekers/refugees with necessary skills, knowledge and entrepreneurship acumen.

• OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

To catalyze personal growth and development of vibrant resilient self-sustaining at-risk affirming asylum seeker/refugees.

• DURABILITY:

We had previously opened a restaurant to aid us with basic necessities like food, but our landlord began blackmailing us and organizing the neighbourhood against us when he found out we were LGBTQ refugees. We made the decision to leave the area after experiencing numerous instances of discrimination and homophobic incidents. After learning that we were moving, the landlord took our belongings; as a result, we had to take him to court, and the case is still pending. We are scheduled to return to the court on April 9, 2024, as the case is still pending.

• WHAT ARE WE DOING CURRENTLY?

For us to survive, we are engaged to different activities that include; Chicken raring, rabbit raring and farming of vegetables. We usually use for food and sale when surplus. We have a shelter at Acre Tano where we are staying and also run our subsistence farming.

Secondly, we are setting up a restaurant that is not yet operational cause we still lack funds for licensing and staff support.

• CHALLENGES:

We have a massive number of challenges that we are facing, they include;.

1. Rent is our major challenge.
2. Paying of bills i.e water and electricity.
3. We also lack enough capital to support our businesses such as money to pay for the Licence, Rent and general staff support.
4. Medical support

• CONCLUSION:

We kindly plead with the international community to support us.