Good news from Kakuma

Good news to share from our Sisters in Kenya. Another one of our Sisters is free and on her way to Canada!

In 2020 we met Shifra, then 17, as she was adjusting to life in Kakuma camp. A smart young woman, who had her own education cut short, she wanted to help her Sisters and their families. The children in camp were unable to attend the camp school as they risked physical assault and bullying from other pupils and staff because their mums were lesbian. So, Shifra and some of the others set up their own school in Block 13. We were able to help and provided some supplies, which meant they could at least learn to read and write and access some ‘virtual’ education via the few phones they had available.

Shifra went on to become a powerful advocate for her Sisters, attending meetings (when the camp officials agreed to meet) and representing her Sisters and Brothers. She also led protests and celebrations in the camp. Being known to be lesbian is always dangerous in Kakuma, and over a year ago we heard that Shifra and some of the other leaders were under serious risk of arrest, which meant that she had to move out of the camp and into hiding.

It’s hard being in hiding in the city; you can’t go out and work, or meet friends, and you have to keep your head down, so it’s a tedious existence, mainly indoors, without much contact from your support network. We (along with our international Sisters) have been able to support Shifra with rent, food and, when needed, medical care, and last week she finally got her papers to get to safety in Canada.

This is the fourth Woman from the group that we have supported, and she joins the other three who are now living their lives in peace and freedom. The advocacy and support works, and is making a life-changing difference for some of the bravest Women we have had the privilege of meeting.

A message from Shifra

‘Thank you very much - this is because of all of you. You have taken care of us for all these years. 

We can’t thank you enough. Thank you for the love, kindness, endless support, strength and all the other things you have done for us, we love you very much Sisters.’

Please keep supporting them. We won’t stop until they are all free!

Make a donation to FiLiA Kakuma Campaign