Founded in Kenya in 2014, the Malindi Desire Initiative (MDI) began as a support group for transgender people living with HIV. The organisation was officially registered as an ITGNC organisation in 2016. 

The Malindi Desire Initiative was born from the question, “How far are you willing to go for a community you love?” In answering that question, MDI supports trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals who often face threats, violence and health issues. MDI is committed to providing services to these communities and promoting equality through educating the wider community about the issues that trans and gender non-conforming people in Kenya face in order to create a positive change within the community.

Vision

To see lives of most TGNC people improve to a high level of economic, social and psychological aspects of life standards.

Mission

To promote economic, social and psychological aspects of lives to the highest level of standard possible considering all promotion prototypes while initialising all available resources to improve lives of most at risk persons.

Goals

  • Providing a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ individuals to connect and support each other.
  • Advocating for LGBTQ rights and visibility in our community and beyond.
  • Offering resources and support to those in need, including counselling, healthcare referrals, and emergency assistance.
  • Providing educational programming and events to raise awareness about LGBTQ issues and promote acceptance and understanding.

Services

  1. STI and HIV/AIDS Screening.
  2. Peer Education: Research, group therapy and social science surveys to address the community’s response to TGNC individuals and help members cope with these issues.
  3. Relief Programme, including medical education, STI and HIV care, psychotherapy and disease prevention resources like condoms and HIV self-tests.

Further, or more in-depth services include:

  1. Health awareness and prevention (HIV/AIDS).
  2. Mental and emotional support through the HIV/AIDS testing process.
  3. Community engagement and trust to reduce stigma and create a supportive network for those seeking HIV/AIDS testing and counselling.
  4. Community resilience: By addressing immediate needs and providing support during challenging times, this programme fosters a sense of unity and shared responsibility, contributing to the community’s ability to overcome obstacles together.
  5. Knowledge dissemination: Training peers to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS testing and counselling.
  6. Skills development: Peer education programmes to equip individuals within the transgender community with valuable skills, such as communication and advocacy.

Contact

Website
+254726069670
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