cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29635718

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29635714

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29635651

Hello friends,

I’ve decided to start a series of posts sharing the true stories of queer refugees. I really want to create a clear and honest picture of what life is like for LGBTQ+ people in refugee camps like Kakuma and Gorom. I hope this will help the community understand us better not just what we go through but who we are. I believe storytelling can build connection, awareness and trust.

My name is Cyara Kaira. I’m an Ugandan transgender woman and a passionate human rights defender. I’ve survived violence, displacement and isolation not because I broke the law but simply because I dared to live as myself. My journey into exile began in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. I arrived there after fleeing Uganda where being trans can mean imprisonment, torture or sometimes death. I thought Kakuma would be a place of safety but instead it was another battlefield of trauma. In Kakuma, LGBTQ+ people are treated as if we are not human. I lived in constant fear. One night a group of men attacked us and tried to burn down our shelter. The trauma from that night still lives in my bones. I wasn’t sure we’d survive. This happened several times where queer refugees were usually stoned, cut with machetes and burned to death. It is on record that we have been losing lives starting from new born babies.

The camp had no support system for queer refugees. We were left to fend for ourselves and punished when we tried to speak out : ( I was threatened to be killed by the head of police ( OCPD) of Turkana region simply because i stood up for others. Remember this wasn’t me at all I didn’t wake up one time and thought that I can one time battle with some government institutions or UNHCR simply because they failed to respect even the basic human rights. They turned me to who I am today. A lot of transphobia happened to me and my fellow queer refugees that really forced us to flee to South Sudan. Now you might ask why of all countries near Kenya. The neighboring countries of Kenya were Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda my home country which almost the leading country in world for criminalizing LGBTQ individuals. South Sudan was the nearest to the Kakuma refugee camp.

Here is a link of PinkNews about me and the life of transgender refugees in Kakuma. It was taken some years ago but I believe it can also add to the story I am talking about.

We fled to Gorom a refugee settlement in South Sudan. It was meant to be safer. But the truth is even here life remains uncertain and painful. Literally the same and here also the government is really strictly against us. We are because of UNHCR’s advocacy and also UNHCR cannot do more if the government speaks. I really have a very long story that I can tell for days.

In my next post, I’ll share what it’s like for queer people living in Gorom how we survive, what we lack and how we care for one another.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for seeing us.

CyaraKaira

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29635714

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29635651

Hello friends,

I’ve decided to start a series of posts sharing the true stories of queer refugees. I really want to create a clear and honest picture of what life is like for LGBTQ+ people in refugee camps like Kakuma and Gorom. I hope this will help the community understand us better not just what we go through but who we are. I believe storytelling can build connection, awareness and trust.

My name is Cyara Kaira. I’m an Ugandan transgender woman and a passionate human rights defender. I’ve survived violence, displacement and isolation not because I broke the law but simply because I dared to live as myself. My journey into exile began in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. I arrived there after fleeing Uganda where being trans can mean imprisonment, torture or sometimes death. I thought Kakuma would be a place of safety but instead it was another battlefield of trauma. In Kakuma, LGBTQ+ people are treated as if we are not human. I lived in constant fear. One night a group of men attacked us and tried to burn down our shelter. The trauma from that night still lives in my bones. I wasn’t sure we’d survive. This happened several times where queer refugees were usually stoned, cut with machetes and burned to death. It is on record that we have been losing lives starting from new born babies.

The camp had no support system for queer refugees. We were left to fend for ourselves and punished when we tried to speak out : ( I was threatened to be killed by the head of police ( OCPD) of Turkana region simply because i stood up for others. Remember this wasn’t me at all I didn’t wake up one time and thought that I can one time battle with some government institutions or UNHCR simply because they failed to respect even the basic human rights. They turned me to who I am today. A lot of transphobia happened to me and my fellow queer refugees that really forced us to flee to South Sudan. Now you might ask why of all countries near Kenya. The neighboring countries of Kenya were Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda my home country which almost the leading country in world for criminalizing LGBTQ individuals. South Sudan was the nearest to the Kakuma refugee camp.

Here is a link of PinkNews about me and the life of transgender refugees in Kakuma. It was taken some years ago but I believe it can also add to the story I am talking about.

We fled to Gorom a refugee settlement in South Sudan. It was meant to be safer. But the truth is even here life remains uncertain and painful. Literally the same and here also the government is really strictly against us. We are because of UNHCR’s advocacy and also UNHCR cannot do more if the government speaks. I really have a very long story that I can tell for days.

In my next post, I’ll share what it’s like for queer people living in Gorom how we survive, what we lack and how we care for one another.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for seeing us.

CyaraKaira

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29635651

Hello friends,

I’ve decided to start a series of posts sharing the true stories of queer refugees. I really want to create a clear and honest picture of what life is like for LGBTQ+ people in refugee camps like Kakuma and Gorom. I hope this will help the community understand us better not just what we go through but who we are. I believe storytelling can build connection, awareness and trust.

My name is Cyara Kaira. I’m an Ugandan transgender woman and a passionate human rights defender. I’ve survived violence, displacement and isolation not because I broke the law but simply because I dared to live as myself. My journey into exile began in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. I arrived there after fleeing Uganda where being trans can mean imprisonment, torture or sometimes death. I thought Kakuma would be a place of safety but instead it was another battlefield of trauma. In Kakuma, LGBTQ+ people are treated as if we are not human. I lived in constant fear. One night a group of men attacked us and tried to burn down our shelter. The trauma from that night still lives in my bones. I wasn’t sure we’d survive. This happened several times where queer refugees were usually stoned, cut with machetes and burned to death. It is on record that we have been losing lives starting from new born babies.

The camp had no support system for queer refugees. We were left to fend for ourselves and punished when we tried to speak out : ( I was threatened to be killed by the head of police ( OCPD) of Turkana region simply because i stood up for others. Remember this wasn’t me at all I didn’t wake up one time and thought that I can one time battle with some government institutions or UNHCR simply because they failed to respect even the basic human rights. They turned me to who I am today. A lot of transphobia happened to me and my fellow queer refugees that really forced us to flee to South Sudan. Now you might ask why of all countries near Kenya. The neighboring countries of Kenya were Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda my home country which almost the leading country in world for criminalizing LGBTQ individuals. South Sudan was the nearest to the Kakuma refugee camp.

Here is a link of PinkNews about me and the life of transgender refugees in Kakuma. It was taken some years ago but I believe it can also add to the story I am talking about.

We fled to Gorom a refugee settlement in South Sudan. It was meant to be safer. But the truth is even here life remains uncertain and painful. Literally the same and here also the government is really strictly against us. We are because of UNHCR’s advocacy and also UNHCR cannot do more if the government speaks. I really have a very long story that I can tell for days.

In my next post, I’ll share what it’s like for queer people living in Gorom how we survive, what we lack and how we care for one another.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for seeing us.

CyaraKaira

Hello friends,

I’ve decided to start a series of posts sharing the true stories of queer refugees. I really want to create a clear and honest picture of what life is like for LGBTQ+ people in refugee camps like Kakuma and Gorom. I hope this will help the community understand us better not just what we go through but who we are. I believe storytelling can build connection, awareness and trust.

My name is Cyara Kaira. I’m an Ugandan transgender woman and a passionate human rights defender. I’ve survived violence, displacement and isolation not because I broke the law but simply because I dared to live as myself. My journey into exile began in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. I arrived there after fleeing Uganda where being trans can mean imprisonment, torture or sometimes death. I thought Kakuma would be a place of safety but instead it was another battlefield of trauma. In Kakuma, LGBTQ+ people are treated as if we are not human. I lived in constant fear. One night a group of men attacked us and tried to burn down our shelter. The trauma from that night still lives in my bones. I wasn’t sure we’d survive. This happened several times where queer refugees were usually stoned, cut with machetes and burned to death. It is on record that we have been losing lives starting from new born babies.

The camp had no support system for queer refugees. We were left to fend for ourselves and punished when we tried to speak out : ( I was threatened to be killed by the head of police ( OCPD) of Turkana region simply because i stood up for others. Remember this wasn’t me at all I didn’t wake up one time and thought that I can one time battle with some government institutions or UNHCR simply because they failed to respect even the basic human rights. They turned me to who I am today. A lot of transphobia happened to me and my fellow queer refugees that really forced us to flee to South Sudan. Now you might ask why of all countries near Kenya. The neighboring countries of Kenya were Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda my home country which almost the leading country in world for criminalizing LGBTQ individuals. South Sudan was the nearest to the Kakuma refugee camp.

Here is a link of PinkNews about me and the life of transgender refugees in Kakuma. It was taken some years ago but I believe it can also add to the story I am talking about.

We fled to Gorom a refugee settlement in South Sudan. It was meant to be safer. But the truth is even here life remains uncertain and painful. Literally the same and here also the government is really strictly against us. We are because of UNHCR’s advocacy and also UNHCR cannot do more if the government speaks. I really have a very long story that I can tell for days.

In my next post, I’ll share what it’s like for queer people living in Gorom how we survive, what we lack and how we care for one another.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for seeing us.

CyaraKaira

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511642

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511640

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511637

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511635

Hello everyone I really wanted to make this update. 4 days back we got shelter for me and my sisters and some other queer refugees. My sis Tash will be updating the fundraiser soon. Huge thanks to everyone who really supported us out of the situation in the camp. But now we have one challenge left is that we don’t have beddings such as mattress, blankets and mosquito nets. the shelter is quite empty. We really want to prevent the risk of diseases. Malaria is so much common and pneumonia due to so many mosquitoes and cold winds during the night. We have most vulnerable people who have HIV and some kids. That need immediate attention because of their condition. The shelter is very cold at night. The other challenge is that we don’t have food honestly and we are at risk of starvation yet we have some who have to take medication on a daily basis and also require a balanced diet. Please consider sharing and supporting us through the support link on my profile. Or here

https://gofund.me/bd40a4f9

Thank you so much

CyaraKaira

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511640

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511637

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511635

Hello everyone I really wanted to make this update. 4 days back we got shelter for me and my sisters and some other queer refugees. My sis Tash will be updating the fundraiser soon. Huge thanks to everyone who really supported us out of the situation in the camp. But now we have one challenge left is that we don’t have beddings such as mattress, blankets and mosquito nets. the shelter is quite empty. We really want to prevent the risk of diseases. Malaria is so much common and pneumonia due to so many mosquitoes and cold winds during the night. We have most vulnerable people who have HIV and some kids. That need immediate attention because of their condition. The shelter is very cold at night. The other challenge is that we don’t have food honestly and we are at risk of starvation yet we have some who have to take medication on a daily basis and also require a balanced diet. Please consider sharing and supporting us through the support link on my profile. Or here

https://gofund.me/bd40a4f9

Thank you so much

CyaraKaira

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511637

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29511635

Hello everyone I really wanted to make this update. 4 days back we got shelter for me and my sisters and some other queer refugees. My sis Tash will be updating the fundraiser soon. Huge thanks to everyone who really supported us out of the situation in the camp. But now we have one challenge left is that we don’t have beddings such as mattress, blankets and mosquito nets. the shelter is quite empty. We really want to prevent the risk of diseases. Malaria is so much common and pneumonia due to so many mosquitoes and cold winds during the night. We have most vulnerable people who have HIV and some kids. That need immediate attention because of their condition. The shelter is very cold at night. The other challenge is that we don’t have food honestly and we are at risk of starvation yet we have some who have to take medication on a daily basis and also require a balanced diet. Please consider sharing and supporting us through the support link on my profile. Or here

https://gofund.me/bd40a4f9

Thank you so much

CyaraKaira

Hello everyone I really wanted to make this update. 4 days back we got shelter for me and my sisters and some other queer refugees. My sis Tash will be updating the fundraiser soon. Huge thanks to everyone who really supported us out of the situation in the camp. But now we have one challenge left is that we don’t have beddings such as mattress, blankets and mosquito nets. the shelter is quite empty. We really want to prevent the risk of diseases. Malaria is so much common and pneumonia due to so many mosquitoes and cold winds during the night. We have most vulnerable people who have HIV and some kids. That need immediate attention because of their condition. The shelter is very cold at night. The other challenge is that we don’t have food honestly and we are at risk of starvation yet we have some who have to take medication on a daily basis and also require a balanced diet. Please consider sharing and supporting us through the support link on my profile. Or here

https://gofund.me/bd40a4f9

Thank you so much

CyaraKaira

Hello everyone It’s been 19 days since I last posted. I’ve been very sick and deeply depressed. I just didn’t have the strength to even hold the phone. I have been suffering from Malaria, typhoid and ulcers for almost 2 weeks now. I am really writing to inform you that we are in danger.

I’m Cyara, a trans refugee in South Sudan. It’s me and 3 other trans sisters. Ever since the government came out told us to leave the camp and live in Juba city life became really horrible. It told us that it would forcefully evict us. Imprison or deport us. The deadline past weeks ago. They haven’t reacted as they said. But now the community has started attacking us. Refugees and host communities are now beating and promising to cut us with machetes. Besides physical violence now they have resorted to threatening to kill us. They say we are against their culture, religion and laws.

We are trying to raise money to relocate to safety even just temporary shelter. We’ve raised a little but it’s nowhere near enough. We urgently need support shares, donations, any connection that can help.

I know many people are struggling but if you can help us even in a small way it could save lives. I’m open to a voice or video call to share more. Please we really need your support.

The support link is on my profile.

Thank you so much

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29167362

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29167360

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29156598

Hello everyone It’s been 19 days since I last posted. I’ve been very sick and deeply depressed. I just didn’t have the strength to even hold the phone. I have been suffering from Malaria, typhoid and ulcers for almost 2 weeks now. I am really writing to inform you that we are in danger.

I’m Cyara, a trans refugee in South Sudan. It’s me and 3 other trans sisters. Ever since the government came out told us to leave the camp and live in Juba city life became really horrible. It told us that it would forcefully evict us. Imprison or deport us. The deadline past weeks ago. They haven’t reacted as they said. But now the community has started attacking us. Refugees and host communities are now beating and promising to cut us with machetes. Besides physical violence now they have resorted to threatening to kill us. They say we are against their culture, religion and laws.

We are trying to raise money to relocate to safety even just temporary shelter. We’ve raised a little but it’s nowhere near enough. We urgently need support shares, donations, any connection that can help.

I know many people are struggling but if you can help us even in a small way it could save lives. I’m open to a voice or video call to share more. Please we really need your support.

The support link is on my profile.

Thank you so much

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29167360

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29156598

Hello everyone It’s been 19 days since I last posted. I’ve been very sick and deeply depressed. I just didn’t have the strength to even hold the phone. I have been suffering from Malaria, typhoid and ulcers for almost 2 weeks now. I am really writing to inform you that we are in danger.

I’m Cyara, a trans refugee in South Sudan. It’s me and 3 other trans sisters. Ever since the government came out told us to leave the camp and live in Juba city life became really horrible. It told us that it would forcefully evict us. Imprison or deport us. The deadline past weeks ago. They haven’t reacted as they said. But now the community has started attacking us. Refugees and host communities are now beating and promising to cut us with machetes. Besides physical violence now they have resorted to threatening to kill us. They say we are against their culture, religion and laws.

We are trying to raise money to relocate to safety even just temporary shelter. We’ve raised a little but it’s nowhere near enough. We urgently need support shares, donations, any connection that can help.

I know many people are struggling but if you can help us even in a small way it could save lives. I’m open to a voice or video call to share more. Please we really need your support.

The support link is on my profile.

Thank you so much

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29156598

Hello everyone It’s been 19 days since I last posted. I’ve been very sick and deeply depressed. I just didn’t have the strength to even hold the phone. I have been suffering from Malaria, typhoid and ulcers for almost 2 weeks now. I am really writing to inform you that we are in danger.

I’m Cyara, a trans refugee in South Sudan. It’s me and 3 other trans sisters. Ever since the government came out told us to leave the camp and live in Juba city life became really horrible. It told us that it would forcefully evict us. Imprison or deport us. The deadline past weeks ago. They haven’t reacted as they said. But now the community has started attacking us. Refugees and host communities are now beating and promising to cut us with machetes. Besides physical violence now they have resorted to threatening to kill us. They say we are against their culture, religion and laws.

We are trying to raise money to relocate to safety even just temporary shelter. We’ve raised a little but it’s nowhere near enough. We urgently need support shares, donations, any connection that can help.

I know many people are struggling but if you can help us even in a small way it could save lives. I’m open to a voice or video call to share more. Please we really need your support.

The support link is on my profile.

Thank you so much