Am Trans Dian, currently residing in Kakuma Refugee camp, KENYA. My journey began in Uganda, a country that should have been my home, but it turned into a place of torment and persecution simply because I chose to be true to myself.
I knew from a young age that I was a trans woman, a realization that filled me with hope and fear in equal measure. My family, unable to understand or accept my identity, abandoned me when i was just 17 years old. With the weight of rejection on my shoulders, l took to the streets, becoming a street kid, enduring the harsh realities of life as a young transgender person in Uganda.
For three long years, I faced unimaginable hardships, but my spirit remained unbroken. My innate strength and perseverance shone through, even in the darkest of times. I faced not only the challenges of homelessness but also the harsh judgment of a society that refused to acknowledge my true self.
Determined to live my life authentically, I decided to run and leave Uganda, fleeing the persecution that had plagued my existence. I arrived at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, seeking asylum and a chance at a life free from the torment of my past.
However, my struggle was far from over. In the camp, I encountered a different kind of adversity. The pervasive transphobia in Kenya made life a daily battle. I endured torture, trauma, and relentless bullying from those who refused to accept me for who I was. There were moments when I was undressed against my will, forced to defend my identity with unwavering courage.
That's the hardship am passing through.
Even am currently homeless, ever since my shelter was blown