Donate to support Usalama House- LGBTQ safe space

Since the launch of Usalama Shelter for homeless LGBT youth in September 2014, the project have managed to offer direct servises to 48 LGBT youth in Tanzania. The services offered include temporary shelter 12,meals 32 and education sponsorship 3.

Our recent findings show that hate against LGBT individuals is increasing due to the recent introduction of the anti-LGBT legislation entitled "The Bill to Prohibit and Control any form of Sexual Relations between Persons of Same Sex, 2014"  and the  number of homeless youth who need help is at increase because so far 78 youth have called in our office but due to the financial position we could not serve them all, we are still working on finding the best way of sustaining this project. There is still a great need of support to ensure that there is no Homeless LGBT youth in Tanzania and also increase a number of LGBT youth who are skilled and ready to be employed.

Here is story from Braison one of the beneficiaries from this project:

Hello, Braison  here,

I am the fourth born among seven children in our family, while growing up I used to play with girls not boys and all my stuff was for girls, my parents always punished me and never wanted me to behave like a girl. Their hate grew every day but they could not stop me from being Gay, none of them knew or realized that I was gay. In June 2014 I came back from school for short holidays and my elder brother tricked me, then he learned about my sex orientantion and told my father. That day my father planned to kill me at night but fortunately my Mother learned about the plan and hepped me ran away.

I ran away from home and went to Dar es salaam but had no relative or friend in the City, while on the streets I met a few gay youth who are sex workers and also joined the group but the life was more worse for me, then one of the friends told me about  LGBT Voice Tanzania, I took a step and went to the office,I met some good people and they helped me find accommodation and meals and supported me for 6 months, they then helped me relocate to Arusha where I happily live and attend a vocational training centre, soon I`ll be a professional hair dresser.

Here is story from Zamiri the first beneficiary from the sponsorship project:

My dream was to become a fashion designer but lost the dream when my parents threw me out of our home, I lived on the streets, spent all my time going to party looking for men and even started using drugs, but one of the staff from LGBT Voice hold my hand and took me to their office offered me with some counselling, and they offered me a home. This was my new beggining as they helpped me pursue my dream, I`m now a designer and can meet my daily expenses. I am also helping other few boys follow my steps.Thanks to LGBT Voice, for helping me get here.