2018 — Founding of Refugee Trans Initiative (RTI), Kenya

Founded in 2018, Refugee Trans Initiative (RTI) is a trans-led community based organisation that aims to create visibility for trans refugees and the local trans community. The organisation was founded by Vanilla (Tcheugoue) Hussein, a trans refugee woman, along with the help of Doreen Andrews and Purity Paige Tumukwasibwe, and other trans refugees who believe in the rights of trans women by creating awareness of the issues faced by trans refugees and ensuring empowerment of trans women through advocacy, safe housing, livelihood development and seminars amongst others.

Challenges faced by trans refugees in Kenya include:

Trans refugees are faced with discrimination because of their gender
Trans refugees face gender based violence from their partners and torture most of the times from the transphobic community
Trans refugees face a lot of depression and low self esteem
Trans refugees are faced with low income jobs and joblessness because of their gender and end up in the harsh conditions of sex work.

Maono

A free trans refugee community, the freedom to be one’s true self, and an empowered trans community.

Goals

To ensure trans refugees are self-sufficient and able to run their day-to-day activities without fear of prosecution.
To fight for trans refugees through activism and advocacy to ensure that they are able to be independent and have the freedom to be their true selves.

Malengo

To create awareness and advocate for trans refugees’ rights.
To create a safe space for trans refugees and trans sex workers.
To empower trans refugees on social and economic growth.
To carry out health forums on trans refugee health and well-being by distributing condoms and lube and encouraging the use of PrEP/PEP.
To train trans refugees to obtain a high level of high self esteem and through psycho-social support.