12/12/2025
Just off a dusty road in Nairobi, Emelda has built more than a barbershop — she’s built a future.
When ORAM’s team visited Nairobi, we met Emelda, a bisexual refugee from Uganda who rebuilt her life after surviving years of abuse and violence. Through ORAM’s skills training and seed funding, Emelda launched her own barbershop — and in just two months, she’s already built a steady stream of clients.
Today, Emelda is also mentoring other LGBTIQ refugees through ORAM’s Training-of-Trainers program, passing on skills, confidence, and opportunity.
Her story is part of ORAM Around the Globe, our year-end series highlighting LGBTIQ refugees whose lives have been shaped by ORAM’s programs across the world.
👉 Read Emelda’s story: https://www.oramrefugee.org/post/a-fresh-start-in-a-barber-s-chair
👉 Make a yearend gift to support LGBTIQ refugees: https://give.oramrefugee.org/campaign/738304/donate
As we look toward 2026, your support helps ensure LGBTIQ refugees can access safety, skills, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Name changed to protect privacy.