Hey everyone:)….
I’ve been meaning to come back with an update and honestly, I wish I was bringing better news.
I have two things I want to share with you today. One is about our own long wait to resettle in Canada. The other is about the eight queer refugees in Gorom whose story I’ve been sharing here.
Both are difficult updates but I wanted to be honest with you about where things stand.
On September 28, I received another email from IRCC.
The Government of Canada has extended the temporary measures affecting certain immigration applications and documents until November 27, 2026.
IRCC says affected applications may continue to be processed but they will not be finalized while these measures are in place. They also said there is nothing we need to do right now and that they will notify us when our applications can be finalized or our documents become valid again.
When I read that email, I honestly cried.
Another extension means another period of waiting and not knowing when we will finally be able to leave.
Some of our sisters have already made it to Canada while some of us are still here in South Sudan waiting for the same journey.
And just to be clear, November 27 is not our travel date. It is simply the current end date of these temporary measures.
So for now, we are still waiting, still hoping and still holding on.
Meanwhile, something else is happening here
While we are waiting for our own resettlement journey, I also want to update you about the eight queer refugees who recently arrived in Gorom from Kakuma, Kenya.
I’ve been sharing their story because they arrived needing food, shelter, medication and other basic necessities.
Unfortunately, their situation has become even more serious.
According to what they told me, a group of men came to the UNHCR reception area and identified themselves as police. They demanded documents allowing them to stay in Gorom and questioned why they looked “weird” and behaved like women.
They told me the situation became violent. Two of them were beaten and seriously injured, while others ran away. They were forced to leave the reception area and were threatened that the men would come back.
I contacted the UNHCR hotline in Juba and reported what they told me. I was given guidance about addressing the immediate safety concerns and reference numbers.
The hardest part for me right now is that they are still at the same UNHCR reception area where this happened.
One of the trans women is still experiencing pain around the side of her face where she was injured. David is also still having some pain, although he says it has become less.
They are scared and don’t know what will happen next.
I wish I could physically go there and help them but I’m still here in Juba myself. So I’m continuing to check on them, share their situation and try to find support for them.
What we’re trying to raise
The $2,990 goal is specifically for these eight refugees … it is separate from our own Canada resettlement journey.
We’re hoping it can help with:
- Safer shelter, fencing, building materials and labour
- Food and clean drinking water
- Mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets
- Clothing and other basic necessities
- Medication and urgent health needs
- Gas and basic cooking supplies
- David’s bakery workspace and basic equipment so he can restart his work and eventually earn an income
We haven’t received financial support for this new situation yet, although some comrades have been incredibly kind about boosting and sharing their story.
If you can help, here are a few ways
If you’re able to donate, the support link is in my profile.
But because their situation is urgent, we also don’t want to sit and wait for the fundraiser page to be updated before trying to get them help.
If you’re able to support privately, please reach out to me directly and I can share the details with you.
And if you’re connected to a refugee-support organization, LGBTQ+ organization, humanitarian group or anyone who may be able to provide emergency assistance or help them find safer accommodation, please reach out to me. Any connection that could help them would be deeply appreciated.
If you can’t donate, please boost or share this post. Someone in your network may be able to help and right now even making the right connection could make a difference.
One small note: the fundraiser link I’m using is our existing community fundraiser and our organizer is still working on updating the page to reflect this new situation. So the page may still show our previous story and goal for now.
I didn’t want to wait for that update before continuing to talk about these eight people, especially now that their situation has become urgent.
We’re still waiting for safety ourselves.
And while we wait, I’m trying not to forget the people around us who are also waiting for safety.
Thank you for listening to both stories and for continuing to stand with us.
