About Us

About Us

WHO WE ARE

Freedom & Dignity Initiative is a humanitarian organization committed to restoring health, dignity, and hope for forcibly displaced persons.

We work alongside:

  • Refugees fleeing oppression

  • Internally displaced persons (IDPs)

  • Survivors of conflict-related violence

  • Displaced children and women

  • Vulnerable families in crisis

Our work ensures access to essential healthcare, psychosocial support, protection services, education for displaced children, and skills training for women and youth.

We are grounded in compassion, confidentiality, and respect for the rights and agency of every person we serve.

Freedom & Dignity

Our story

Freedom & Dignity Initiative was founded in response to the growing humanitarian crisis affecting refugees, internally displaced persons, and survivors of conflict-related violence. As displacement continues to disrupt lives — through war, persecution, political instability, and human rights abuses — too many people remain without access to safe healthcare, emotional support, protection, education, or pathways to self-reliance.

We emerged from the belief that humanitarian support must be practical, compassionate, and rights-based. Our work is rooted in the conviction that every person — regardless of status, origin, or circumstance — deserves safety, healing, and the opportunity to rebuild their life with dignity.

Our Vision

A world where every forcibly displaced person – including refugees fleeing oppression, displaced children, and at-risk women – can live in safety and access the healthcare, support, protection, education, and economic opportunity they need to heal and thrive.

Values

Our values guide everything we do. We believe every displaced person deserves safety, respect, and a path to rebuild their life.

Dignity

Every person is treated with inherent worth and respect.

Compassion

We meet people without judgment and respond with care.

Confidentiality

Your privacy and safety are always protected.

Equity

We prioritize those with the greatest need.

Accountability

We answer to the communities we serve.

Empowerment

We build skills and opportunity, not dependency.

Who We Serve

Refugees Fleeing Oppression

People forced to leave their homes due to state-sponsored violence, political persecution, ethnic targeting, or other forms of organized oppression.

Displaced Children

Boys and girls whose childhoods have been interrupted by conflict — denied safety, schooling, and stability. We provide safe learning spaces and psychosocial support.

At-Risk Women

Women facing heightened risks of gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and family separation. We offer protection, skills training, and livelihood pathways.

Survivors of Violence

Individuals and families recovering from conflict-related trauma, torture, or abuse — with access to counseling, medical care, and protective support.

Vulnerable Families

Households struggling to meet basic needs after displacement — connected to healthcare, community integration, and opportunities for self-reliance.

Safeguarding & Protection Commitment

We are committed to the highest standards of safeguarding, confidentiality, and survivor-centered practice.

Every team member, volunteer, and partner is expected to uphold:

  • ✓ Zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, or harassment
  • ✓ Confidential handling of all personal information
  • ✓ Survivor-led decision-making in all cases
  • ✓ Clear reporting and response protocols

A full Safeguarding and Protection Policy is available upon request.

Why Trust Us

  • ✓ Survivor-centered – You lead your own journey. We follow your lead.
  • ✓ Confidential – Your privacy is protected at all times.
  • ✓ Trauma-informed – Every interaction is shaped by an understanding of trauma.
  • ✓ Rights-based – We respect your rights, regardless of status or background.
  • ✓ Accountable – We answer to the communities we serve.

A Survivor-Centered & Trauma-Informed Approach

We believe recovery begins when people are met with safety, respect, and practical support. Our trauma-informed approach creates confidential and survivor-centered spaces where forcibly displaced persons can seek care without fear, stigma, or discrimination.

We work directly in displacement settings, host communities, and other vulnerable environments to ensure services reach those who need them most. By combining:

🩺 Medical support
🧠 Mental health care
🛡️ Protection services
📚 Education for children
💼 Skills training for women and youth

We respond not only to urgent needs, but also to long-term recovery, resilience, and dignity.

🌍 Founder • Activist • Refugee Advocate

My name is Mbajjwe Wilson Nimiro, and I am a refugee, LGBTQ+ activist, and human rights advocate originally from Uganda. I previously worked as a Peer Leader and Shelter Administrator with Let’s Walk Uganda (LWU) and the Uganda Minority Consortium (UMC).

In 2023, I was forced to flee Uganda to Kenya following the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which severely affected many LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations across the country. Organizations such as LWU were publicly accused by government officials of supporting and promoting homosexuality, leading to intimidation, threats, and the closure of several community-led initiatives.

I relocated to Kenya under the protection and coordination of LWU and UMC. However, life in Kenya was also extremely difficult. While living in Nakuru, many LGBTQ+ refugees experienced police raids, harassment, and intimidation by local authorities and community leaders.

During this time, I spoke publicly about the impact of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ refugees. My story was featured in The New York Times, helping raise international awareness, particularly in the United States, about the realities many displaced LGBTQ+ Ugandans were facing.

I am also one of the founders of The Wilson Project, an initiative created together with friends and supporters from the United States to assist Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugees in Kenya. I served as the organization’s Country Leader, helping coordinate refugee support, shelter assistance, advocacy, and emergency response efforts.

In 2024, I traveled to Germany to seek asylum. Fortunately, my asylum application was granted, allowing me to continue my advocacy work in safety while remaining committed to supporting displaced LGBTQ+ communities and speaking out against persecution and violence.