Congrats, grads! Following the journey of ORAM's recent vocational training graduates in Nairobi

Last month, ORAM's Kenya Livelihoods Officer, Winfred Wangari, proudly watched as 25 displaced LGBTIQ refugees enjoyed a piece of cake at their graduation from vocational training. This cohort, all of whom currently reside in Nairobi, was able to experience a unique type of vocational training customized to their needs as part of ORAM’s livelihoods program in Kenya.

Pictured: The graduation ceremony on July 12th for the 25 LGBTIQ refugees who completed vocational training.

While our clients have documentation to stay and work in Nairobi, they often face many challenges in accessing safe work opportunities. Even when LGBTIQ refugees can find employment, social environments can create a painful experience and make retaining a stable job nearly impossible. In December 2021, Winfred conducted an assessment with members of ten LGBTIQ refugee-led community-based organizations (CBOs). The members of those CBOs suggested we provide vocational skills training in vocations they were passionate about, such as catering and cooking, barbering, tailoring, and cosmetology.

Winfred implemented that feedback and went to identify trainers in the community. Identifying trainers is crucial in creating the best experience for the LGBTIQ refugees we serve. Winfred located a group of seven talented and compassionate professionals in their specific fields. The trainers bring experience from working at various institutions and include native Kenyans and other LGBTIQ refugees working in Nairobi. Having other LGBTIQ refugees as facilitators showed our current cohort of participants that pursuing a vocation you are passionate about is possible.

Classes started in February 2022, with most courses ranging from two to three months, depending on the participants' vocation. The facilitators provided work-based training for the LGBTIQ refugee participants to gain hands-on experience in the work they are passionate about. Throughout the training, Winfred checked in with all the facilitators and trainees to ensure the process ran smoothly.

Pictured (left): A tailoring training session at COSIR CBO - an LGBTIQ-led community-based organization.

Pictured (center): A training session at Lintons College.

Pictured (right): A trainee at Sistes Kitchen.

The time together for both the trainers and students flew by. In July, it was time to bring everyone together to collect feedback and celebrate the accomplishment of finishing the training. During the feedback session, many of the recent graduates shared appreciation for the trainers and training centers that were able to help them through the vocational skills classes. "Participants felt at home during the training," Winfred shared, reflecting on that day.

One of the trainees, who studied catering, shared this touching story about their experience working with an LGBTIQ-led CBO: "I can't believe the training has come to an end. Sistes Kitchen felt like home. Sylvia, our trainer, was just like a mother. Besides the training, she offered a listening ear, inspired us, and made us feel like part of her family. Thank you, ORAM, for finding such a trainer."

Pictured: Sylvia (in blue) and her team at Sistes Kitchen's training center in March 2022.

Much of the positive feedback from participants focused on the connection with the trainers and the institutions where they work. Winfred would like to continue co-creating and collaborating with CBOs, training centers, and other vocation-related institutions for future programming.

To continue their education, the participants will be able to attend additional training on small business management and financial literacy. During this optional training, they will create and finalize business plans. Upon completing their business plan, they can apply for seed funding to help start their small business.

Not all graduates have dreams of owning small businesses. For those folks, Winfred has connected them with other service providers and business owners for their trained vocation. She hopes this will minimize the challenges of finding work opportunities and lead them to happy and sustained employment.

As Winfred reflects on this round of vocational training, she extends her thanks to “the trainers and community of donors who have made this vocational training possible."

Congratulations to the 25 recent graduates! To help ORAM provide unique and collaborative vocational training for LGBTIQ refugees, please donate today!

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