In just over one month, ORAM has welcomed three new team members, each representing a different geography where ORAM works. The new ORAM team members will be monumental to us in serving more LGBTIQ refugees globally and ensuring we are meeting the community's greatest needs. We are honored to introduce our Project Assistant in Berlin, our new Project Assistant in Kakuma Refugee Camp, and our Mexico Program Officer.
Oliver Dougherty (he/they) joined the ORAM team at the end of May as our inaugural Project Assistant in ORAM's Berlin office, supporting our Ukraine Response Program. He has worked with LGBTIQ Ukrainians since 2020 and last year obtained a Master of Spatial Strategies from Weissensee Academy of Art Berlin. He completed his thesis on the importance of building community spaces for queer people who fled Russia's war in Ukraine. Oliver has also previously coordinated a residency program that assisted in resettling LGBTIQ artists and activists displaced by Russia's war in Ukraine, supported by Goethe-Institut and Artists at Risk. In addition to his Master's, Dougherty holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a specialization in sociology from Maastricht University.
Oliver has already supported ORAM's short-term housing program and assisted with a focus group discussion for LGBTIQ Ukrainians.
Next to Mexico City, where we are happy to introduce ORAM's Mexico Program Officer, René A. Tec-López (they/them), who will help continue to grow upon ORAM's projects and research in Mexico City and help develop programs that best address the needs of LGBTIQ asylum seekers and refugees in Mexico. They hold a BA in Social Anthropology from the University of Yucatán and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Santiago, Chile. They have experience in research projects focused on the intersectionality between religion and sexual diversity and the migration of LGBTIQ+ people in Mexico. René is also an activist and co-founder of the Fundación Josías, a nonprofit organization that aims to combat violence against queer people within religious institutions and make visible safe religious spaces for LGBTIQ+ people.
René joined ORAM at the beginning of June and has already jumped into the work, meeting with LGBTIQ and refugee support leaders in Mexico City. They also recently represented ORAM in Mexico City's Pride march on June 24th!
The last stop is in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, where we proudly introduce you to our newest team member, Reuben Okwach! Reuben (he/him) is experienced in refugee protection and case management. He has worked with humanitarian agencies in various country contexts, most recently as a Protection Officer with Jesuit Refugee Services in Kakuma and Ethiopia. He has a Master's in Human Rights Law from the University of London and is currently completing a Master's in project planning and management from the University of Nairobi.
Reuben joined ORAM last week and has already jumped into learning about ORAM's programs in Kakuma and meeting with community members there.
Welcome to the ORAM team, Oliver, Rene, and Reuben! We are thrilled to have you on board and are excited about all we can accomplish together to support LGBTIQ refugees.