LGBTQIA+ Equality Tanzania, United Republic of Project #21574

Help defend and protect LGBTQIA rights in Tanzania

Project Report | Jan 14, 2025
Annual Report for 2024

By James Wandera Ouma | Executive Director- LGBT Voice Tanzania

LGBT Voice Tanzania extends warm wishes for a joyful New Year to our cherished supporters. We are excited to unveil our comprehensive 2024 annual report, showcasing the significant accomplishments and financial health of our organization.

The previous year have posed numerous hurdles and challenges, primarily due to limited funding, which placed us in jeopardy of losing our sole office. This office is crucial, serving as a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ individuals who depend on our essential services. Despite these formidable obstacles, our unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the LGBTQ+ community has not wavered. This dedication fuels our continued efforts to ensure inclusivity and strive for a hopeful future for LGBTQ+ individuals in Tanzania.

In 2024, LGBT Voice Tanzania made remarkable strides in strengthening the LGBTQ+ community.

We provided free legal assistance to 32 individuals, ensuring their rights were upheld and defended.
Additionally, we offered trauma counseling to 78 people, addressing their emotional and psychological needs, and helping them navigate the complexities of their experiences.
In our quest to promote education, we funded the education of one individual, opening doors to new opportunities and a brighter future.
Furthermore, we provided short-term housing and relocation assistance to five individuals, offering a safe haven for those experiencing distress or danger.
To extend our reach and impact, we established three new support groups in the Morogoro and Njombe regions. These groups serve as nurturing environments where community and unity can flourish, providing spaces for individuals to connect and support one another. Throughout the year, our advocacy efforts have been relentless, consistently championing the rights and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community with unwavering determination and passion. Our work remains vital as we continue to strive for a more inclusive and accepting society for all.

Thanks to the generous donations from our supporters and our fundraising efforts via GlobalGiving, we managed to raise a total of $6,299. Moreover, we obtained a restricted grant of $4,800 for legal fees $2,900 from additional online sources and $400 offline, enabling us to continue our essential work in the community.

The funds raised have been strategically allocated to cover our necessary expenses, ensuring the sustained operation of our programs and support services. These expenses include:

$4,800- Office Rent: Maintaining a physical space where we can coordinate our activities and provide a safe environment for our staff and community members.
$4,699- Legal Fees: Protecting the rights of our community, offering legal assistance, and advocating for policy changes.
$2,500- Counselling Trauma: Providing essential mental health support to those affected by trauma, ensuring they receive the care and guidance needed to heal and thrive.
-$1,600 Temporary Shelter: Offering a safe haven for individuals in crisis, providing them with a secure place to stay during difficult times.
$400- School Fees sponsorship: Investing in the future of our community by supporting educational opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth.
$300- Secure website hosting and Maintenance
$100- Bank charges

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters and partners who have contributed to these efforts. Your unwavering support empowers us to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBT individuals in Tanzania. Together, we are making a significant impact, fostering hope and resilience within our community.

NEED

This year, we aim to raise $16,000 to cover our organization's expenses, including a $971 legal fee debt from last year. We sincerely ask for your ongoing support throughout the year so we can continue delivering essential services to the LGBTQ+ community in need.

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Nov 6, 2024
Implementation report

By James Wandera Ouma | Executive Director

In the ongoing efforts to defend and protect LGBTQ+ rights in Tanzania, LGBT Voice Tanzania has made significant strides over the past period. Our organization remains committed to supporting and advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community, despite the challenging environment.

One of our key achievements has been providing free legal aid to over 32 LGBTQ+ individuals who faced unjust arrests. This assistance has been crucial in ensuring that these individuals receive fair legal representation and can navigate the legal system more effectively. Our legal team continues to work tirelessly to advocate for justice and protect the rights of those unfairly targeted due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In addition to legal support, we continue dealing the pressing need for trauma counseling among the LGBTQ+ community. To address this, we have offered trauma counseling services to 66 individuals who have sought our assistance. These services are vital in helping individuals process their experiences, heal from trauma, and regain a sense of safety and well-being.

Furthermore, we have provided temporary shelter to two individuals who were in dire need of a safe environment. Recognizing the urgency of their situations, we successfully relocated them to safer places where they can live without fear of persecution. This aspect of our work underscores our commitment to offering practical support and ensuring the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in vulnerable situations.

Another accomplishment of the project was the successful registration of three new LGBTQ+ support groups in Morogoro Region. This achievement is particularly significant as it marks a pivotal expansion of support networks within the region, thereby facilitating enhanced community engagement and ensuring better representation for LGBTQ+ individuals. The establishment of these groups means that more LGBTQ+ people have access to a collective support system, which is vital for nurturing a sense of belonging and community resilience in an environment that may not always be supportive or inclusive.

Another critical milestone reached by the project was the organization of a comprehensive training workshop. This workshop was centered around the themes of safe coming out and the identification and reporting of hate crimes. Participants were provided with crucial information and support, empowering them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate their personal and social environments more securely and confidently. By equipping individuals with these skills, the project aimed to foster a safer environment where LGBTQ+ people can express their identities without fear of discrimination or violence. Such initiatives are essential in promoting awareness and understanding within the broader community, potentially leading to increased acceptance and reduced instances of hate crimes

Our advocacy efforts have also continued within the education system. We have been actively promoting equality and inclusivity, working towards creating a more supportive and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ students. Additionally, with the support of annowe have extended financial support to college students within the community who are in need. This assistance helps to alleviate some of the financial burdens that can hinder their academic progress and personal development.

LGBT Voice Tanzania remains dedicated to defending the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals. Through these activities and ongoing advocacy, we aim to foster a society that respects and embraces diversity, ensuring that all individuals can live freely and authentically.

Due to our heightened visibility, we've experienced an uptick in LGBTQ+ individuals seeking our assistance, and we are currently feeling overwhelmed because of a lack of sufficient resources to help them. We are appealing for your ongoing support, as our organization is entirely dependent on online donations to sustain all our operations. Right now, we have over 72 requests awaiting urgent attention.

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Jul 22, 2024
Progress Report for the past six months

By James Wandera Ouma | Executive Director

It's truly astonishing how swiftly time flies as we find ourselves already immersed in the month of July. Amidst this rapid passage of time, we are reminded of the numerous goals and milestones we still aspire to achieve before the year draws to a close.

Accomplishments:

Your unwavering support has been a beacon of strength for us during the initial half of this year, propelling us forward in our mission. Our journey advocating for LGBTQ rights in a society that deems homosexuality as unlawful and perilous has been fraught with challenges. Despite the adversities, we have persevered in our endeavors, extending our services to those in dire need. From providing crucial trauma counseling to offering legal aid, our efforts have touched the lives of many in the LGBTQ community.

One of our notable achievements was facilitating the relocation of three LGBTQ individuals facing imminent danger, ensuring their safety and enabling them to embark on a new chapter free from fear. These successful interventions were made possible through the generous contributions that you have graciously extended to us. Furthermore, we supported a LGBTQ university student in raising $500 towards his tuition fees, granting him the opportunity to pursue his education and aspire towards a brighter future.

Our recent 15th-anniversary festivities and Pride events were marked by our visits to LGBTQ members incarcerated, where we provided essential support and resources within the confines of the law, while also gaining insights into their struggles.

The narratives shared by these individuals have served as a driving force for us to advocate for the acknowledgment of the diverse spectrum of human sexual orientation and identity within the legal framework. We have underscored the natural essence of homosexuality as an integral aspect of this spectrum, emphasizing the unjust repercussions of penalizing individuals based on their sexual orientation. Through our collective efforts and your steadfast support, we continue to strive towards a more inclusive and accepting society for all members of the LGBTQ community.

One of our beneficiaries who underwent relocation shared their experience in a testimony

I want to express my gratitude to LGBT Voice Tanzania and their team for assisting me in relocating to this new country. I now find myself in a place where I am embraced and supported. Previously, I lived in constant fear of threats and the possibility of arrest and torture, which had become a regular part of my life. With my family turning their backs on me, my existence was filled with anguish and torment. -MUNDIHIR KASSIM MOHAMED

KIUSHI Project

The KUISHI project continues to make significant progress, with the recent completion of three additional training workshops. These workshops have proven to be instrumental in advancing understanding and promoting awareness through educational initiatives and awareness campaigns.

The primary focus remains on providing accurate information regarding the LGBTQ community to combat misconceptions and promote acceptance. By fostering open discussions and encouraging dialogue, the project aims to establish a supportive environment for meaningful interactions that promote empathy and bridge gaps. To date, a total of 180 influential individuals and 73 members of the LGBTQ community have benefited from the knowledge and insights gained during these training sessions. These numbers reflect the project's commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive society for all individuals involved.

CHALLENGES:

I must acknowledge that we are currently encountering difficulties regarding our financial situation and the utilization of technology. The challenges we face, particularly in terms of finances, are significantly impeding our progress. Sustaining our office space and managing various operational costs like electricity, water, internet, and communication has become quite daunting. Over the past six months, we have managed to raise a total of $2655, in addition to securing a grant of $1000, totaling $3655.

Our dedicated group of volunteers, who generously contribute their time and resources, persistently strive towards ensuring a brighter future for the LGBTQ community in Tanzania. Their unwavering commitment is truly commendable as they tirelessly work towards our shared goal. This collective effort is essential in overcoming the financial hurdles we currently face and in moving forward with our mission to advocate for equality and inclusivity within our community. The impact of their dedication and hard work is evident in the positive changes we are able to achieve, even amidst the financial constraints we encounter.

Current need:

The current requirement pertains to the rental cost for the office space, amounting to $2000, covering the period from August to December. In addition to this, there are various other expenses that need to be addressed.These expenses include electricity charges totaling $120, water bills amounting to $105, internet fees of $300, and communication costs of $310. The total sum needed to cover all these administration expenses until the end of December 2024 is $2,835.

We kindly seek support in raising this sum to guarantee the efficient running of our workspace and crucial services we offer. Our office stands as the sole sanctuary for the LGBTQ community in Tanzania, providing a secure haven.

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