ORAM is celebrating LGBTIQ Refugee Pride by highlighting the personal achievements and accomplishments of the queer refugees we serve. In part two of our blog post, you will meet incredible LGBTIQ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya and across Germany through our Ukraine Response Program, who will share what they are personally proud of.
ERIC - HE/HIM
Eric, a gay refugee from Uganda, has lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp since early 2020. Eric is a member of an LGBTIQ refugee-led community-based organization in Kakuma that participates in poultry farming and empowering the queer community with skills in the camp.
ORAM has supported Eric’s CBO by providing seed funding in 2021 to start a poultry farm. Today, they facilitate workshops on poultry farming for new community members. They also have a new project, “Kakuma Go Green,” to make Kakuma green by planting trees. Eric reports that the project is moving forward “slowly by slowly” despite Kakuma’s dry climate.
Eric and his community-based organization provide essential support to the LGBTIQ community, given the extremely harsh conditions in Kakuma. “Most of our members get into depression. We try to have one-on-one talks, giving them hope and a sense of belonging. This is not the end of the world. Don’t despair. We try to give them a glimpse of hope.”
*Eric's photo is not being shared to protect his identity.
OLEG AND DENIS - HE/HIM
Oleg and Denis are a gay couple from Ukraine. Oleg and Denis arrived in Germany earlier this year and are receiving short-term housing from ORAM in Munich.
Before reaching out to ORAM, Oleg and Denis had no access to stable housing and were on the streets after being turned away from a government shelter due to overcrowding. A local queer organization referred them to our short-term housing program for LGBTIQ Ukrainians and third-country nationals. “It’s a good apartment, perfect for two people. The location is easy to get anywhere in the city,” Oleg shared with ORAM.
They shared with ORAM that many organizations were stepping up to provide essential services to the displaced Ukrainian community at the start of the war in Ukraine. They said now, nearly a year and a half later, the number of organizations supporting Ukrainian refugees seems smaller.
Oleg and Denis are proud to have made it to Munich and have a powerful message to share with other LGBTIQ Ukrainians. “You don’t need to be afraid. We arrived in Europe with nothing. We made a plan, and now we are here. We are unstoppable.”
*NATHAN - HE/HIM
*Nathan, a gay man from Uganda, has lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp since 2019. Nathan and some close friends started a poultry farm in 2020 to cope with the harsh conditions in Kakuma. They were introduced to ORAM the following year, and we supported their project.
“We were so happy [to receive funding from ORAM] because we needed so many things. Our chicken coop was so small, so we extended the chicken coop. We brought new chicks,” he shared with us. “We almost doubled the number of chicks that we had.... the project started expanding, expanding, expanding.”
Nathan shared that he is proud of his community in Kakuma. “I’m proud of what I am as a gay – even though I go through so many challenges [such as homophobia and hatred], I’m so happy when I hear that I’m not alone. I am proud of my LGBTIQ family. It comforts me...I’m with other family members.”
He also shared a parting message he wanted to share with the ORAM community, “I’m so happy to have ORAM in Kakuma because ORAM has changed my life and the lives of others, for sure.”
*Nathan’s name and photo have been concealed to protect his identity.
VICTOR - HE/HIM
Victor, a gay man from a small community in Western Ukraine near Lviv, could not leave Ukraine when Russia first launched its full-scale invasion last year. “The first night [of war], we slept in a metro station. After, we went to western Ukraine to the mountains and stayed at a ski resort for a few months,” he told ORAM.
A friend told Victor about ORAM’s housing project for displaced queer Ukrainians. ORAM first provided Victor with short-term housing thanks to our partnership with Airbnb.org, and now Victor is staying in an apartment for six months at no cost to him.
“Being able to get the flat for six months has been life changing. I can finally relax and can focus beyond survival. I can think about what my heart is drawn to and discover my full potential.”
Victor wanted to share a special message with all ORAM’s supporters: “Big thank you to the supporters and those who provide funding to the organization...that keeps the organization going. Small amounts, big amounts, or corporate support make a difference and change people’s lives.”
*Victor's image will not be shared to protect his identity.
We are grateful to Eric, Oleg and Denis, *Nathan, and Victor for sharing their inspiring stories with us in honor of Refugee Pride!
Please donate today to allow ORAM to continue supporting and empowering LGBTIQ refugees worldwide.
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