“I Feel Powerful” — Fifi Rebuilds After a Robbery in Kakuma

Pictured: Fifi braiding one of their clients.

Author’s Note: After reading my colleague Reuben’s (ORAM’s Project Officer – Kakuma) reflections from an ORAM staff field visit to Kakuma, I was inspired by the story of a salon owner who rebuilt their business after experiencing a robbery. Intrigued to learn more, I connected with the salon owner to hear their story firsthand and learn what it’s like to be a woman refugee business owner. 

Fifi (they/them), a business owner, mother, and human rights defender from Uganda, arrived in Kakuma Refugee Camp in 2021. Fifi, who identifies as a lesbian, did not plan to leave Uganda. They were forced to flee after their ex-husband exposed them as a lesbian to their community. 

Upon arriving at the camp, Fifi remembers entering an environment where they had no shelter, food, or connections. They also struggled to communicate with others in Swahili, as they spoke mostly English. 

“I didn't like the lifestyle here, but all I wanted was my safety, so I had to persevere,” they said. 

Fifi spoke openly about the challenges LGBTIQ refugees face in Kakuma. 

“We face a lot of challenges. Our fellow refugees don’t want anything to do with us. And the host community — they hate us,” Fifi shared. “Most of us are struggling to rebuild our lives. You cannot even feed yourself. You cannot even take your own kid to school simply because you're not financially stable.”

“When we speak with organizations like ORAM, we speak openly because we know you're supporting us and listening to us. But the government doesn't want to know. They don't want to hear anything regarding our complaints,” Fifi explained.  

Fifi first heard about ORAM in 2022 but did not become involved in the organization’s programs until last year, when ORAM convened a meeting between UNHCR, the Kenyan government, and members of the LGBTIQ refugee community. After that meeting, Reuben reached out to Fifi to ask if they would be interested in attending skills development training. 

Fifi enrolled in cosmetology courses. 

With seed funding from ORAM, Fifi constructed a beauty salon near their home in the camp. With no other salons nearby, Fifi quickly began attracting customers in the area. 

After four weeks of business, the salon was robbed. 

“They took everything,” Fifi recalls. “I felt sick. My blood pressure went up, and my mental health was not okay. I felt like my life was shattered. I kept thinking, how will I explain this to Reuben?” 

“I was just thinking, will these people even believe that this thing happened to me?” Fifi said. 

Fifi took photos immediately and reported the robbery to Reuben and the local police. 

“Thank God they believed me. They had seen what I started with when I first opened the salon,” Fifi said. 

With the second installment of seed funding, Fifi began rebuilding. They restocked supplies and continued marketing the salon to people passing by. 

Pictured: Products at Fifi's salon.

Today, Fifi is rebuilding and dreaming about the future of their business. 

“I'm hoping for expansion, and I hope to employ youth in the future,” they shared. 

Being a lesbian refugee in Kakuma comes with immense challenges. But Fifi’s hard work, drive, and determination continue to push them forward. 

“I look at myself as a very hardworking person. I feel powerful,” Fifi says. “Many people believe women are weak. We are not. We are also strong. We can work. We can hustle.” 

Fifi also feels the financial strain organizations like ORAM are facing as they try to support LGBTIQ refugees in the camp. 

“We are heartbroken here because organizations like ORAM don’t have enough to support us. Reuben feels the pain that we are going through because we are always calling.” 

“I would suggest donors continue supporting us because we need ORAM now more than ever,” Fifi said. 

Donate to help LGBTIQ refugees like Fifi reach safety and stability. 

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