1. Ell-Womxn

ELL-Womxn is a registered feminist, community-led organization based in Homa Bay County, Kenya, dedicated to advancing the rights, wellbeing, leadership, and socio-economic empowerment of Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Intersex, Transgender, and Gender Non-Conforming (LBQITGNC) persons. Established in 2022, the organization was founded in response to the persistent social, economic, political, and structural inequalities that continue to affect LBQITGNC communities, including discrimination, stigma, violence, poverty, exclusion from opportunities, and limited access to essential services.

While rooted in Homa Bay County, ELL-Womxn extends its reach through partnerships, community engagement, and grassroots initiatives in neighboring Migori County and across the broader Lake Region. The organization is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces where marginalized womxn and gender-diverse persons can realize their rights, exercise their agency, and thrive socially and economically.

At ELL-Womxn, we recognize that true equality cannot be achieved through rights advocacy alone. Sustainable change requires addressing both systemic injustices and the economic vulnerabilities that often expose marginalized communities to violence, exploitation, and exclusion. Our work therefore integrates human rights advocacy with economic justice, ensuring that community members are equipped not only to claim their rights but also to build sustainable livelihoods and achieve long-term resilience.
Our programs focus on Human Rights and Gender Justice, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response, Safety and Security, Advocacy and Civic Engagement, Leadership Development, Community Organizing, and Socio-Economic Empowerment. Through these interventions, we strengthen community leadership, increase access to services, promote social inclusion, and support individuals to become active agents of change within their communities.

A defining feature of ELL-Womxn’s work is its commitment to Economic Justice and Systems Transformation. We support community members to develop entrepreneurial skills, establish and grow businesses, monetize talents and creative skills, access financial opportunities, and pursue professional development pathways. We believe that economic empowerment is a critical foundation for self-determination, dignity, and sustainable social change.
ELL-Womxn also champions the meaningful participation and representation of LBQITGNC persons in leadership, governance, professional sectors, and decision-making spaces. We envision a future where queer and gender-diverse persons are visible and influential as educators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, advocate s, policymakers, public servants, and community leaders who contribute to building stronger, more inclusive societies.

Our vision is an integrated socio-economic and social stability for marginalized womxn and gender-diverse communities. Guided by feminist principles, human rights, inclusion, equity, and community leadership, ELL-Womxn works to build a future where LBQITGNC persons are safe, respected, economically empowered, professionally successful, and able to reach their full potential while driving transformative change within their communities and society at large.

2. Beyond Binary

Beyond Binary is a community-led organization founded in 2018 and formally registered in 2021 to advance the health, human rights, dignity, and wellbeing of Intersex, Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC), and other gender-diverse populations in Homa Bay County and beyond. Established in response to the persistent challenges of stigma, discrimination, exclusion, violence, and barriers to healthcare experienced by gender-diverse communities, the organization works to create a more inclusive and equitable society where every individual can live authentically and with dignity.
Led by community members who represent the populations it serves, Beyond Binary adopts a participatory, rights-based, and evidence-informed approach to programming. The organization is committed to ensuring that TGNC and intersex persons are not only beneficiaries of interventions but also active leaders and decision-makers in shaping solutions that affect their lives and communities.

Beyond Binary provides safe and affirming spaces where community members can access psychosocial support, peer mentorship, leadership development opportunities, and referrals to quality healthcare and social services. The organization also works to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV prevention, treatment and care services, mental health support, and gender-based violence prevention and response mechanisms.
A core pillar of Beyond Binary’s work is advocacy for social justice, equality, and human rights. Through community mobilization, awareness creation, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships, the organization challenges harmful norms, addresses systemic discrimination, and promotes the recognition, protection, and inclusion of TGNC, intersex, and gender-diverse persons in all spheres of society.

The organization further invests in holistic empowerment initiatives that build individual and community resilience through economic strengthening, leadership development, civic participation, and community organizing. By fostering self-determination, confidence, and collective action, Beyond Binary supports community members to thrive and contribute meaningfully to social transformation.

Ndhiwa Empowered Life for Real Educated Sex Workers (NELFRIENDS)

3. Ndhiwa Empowered Life for Real Educated Sex Workers (NELFRIENDS)

is a community-based organization founded in 2020 in Ndhiwa Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Kenya. Established by and for key and vulnerable populations, NELFRIENDS works to address the interconnected challenges of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence (GBV), and poverty—collectively known as the “Triple Threat.”

The organization is committed to promoting health, human rights, dignity, and socio-economic empowerment among sex workers, people living with HIV (PLHIV), adolescents and young people, vulnerable women and youth, GBV survivors, and other underserved populations. Through community-driven approaches, NELFRIENDS delivers comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment services, economic empowerment initiatives, psychosocial support, and human rights advocacy to strengthen resilience and improve quality of life.

Guided by its vision of a healthy, empowered, resilient, and economically self-reliant community free from stigma, discrimination, violence, poverty, and preventable diseases, NELFRIENDS collaborates with community health volunteers, peer educators, government institutions, and development partners to advance sustainable development and social inclusion.

Through strategic interventions and partnerships, NELFRIENDS continues to empower lives, build resilient communities, and contribute to the reduction of HIV, GBV, and poverty in Ndhiwa Sub-County and beyond.
Tagline: Empowering Lives. Building Resilient Communities.
Focus: Reducing the Triple Threat – HIV, GBV and Poverty.

4. Migori Sex workers Alliance (MISWA)

Migori Sex Workers Alliance (MISWA) is a community-led organization dedicated to promoting the health, safety, dignity, and human rights of sex workers in Migori County and beyond. Established to amplify the voices of sex workers and address the social, economic, legal, and health challenges affecting the community, MISWA works to create an environment where sex workers can live free from violence, discrimination, stigma, and exclusion.

The organization implements programs focused on human rights advocacy, sexual and founded in 2020 reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV prevention, treatment and care, gender-based violence prevention and response, economic empowerment, and access to justice. Through peer-led interventions, community mobilization, leadership development, and strategic partnerships, MISWA empowers sex workers to claim their rights, access essential services, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives.

MISWA also engages government institutions, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to promote policies and practices that protect the rights and wellbeing of sex workers. The organization advocates for inclusive health systems, equitable access to services, and the elimination of structural barriers that undermine the health and human rights of sex workers.
Guided by the principles of human dignity, equality, social justice, community leadership, and meaningful participation, MISWA envisions a society where all sex workers are respected, protected, empowered, and able to realize their full potential regardless of their occupation, gender, age, or social status

5. Thrive for change Initiative (TCI)

Thrive for Change Initiative (TCI) is a community-based organization (CBO) established in December 2024 with a commitment to advancing social justice, health equity, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability among vulnerable and underserved communities in Kenya. Founded by passionate grassroots leaders and community changemakers, TCI was born from the recognition that persistent inequalities, poverty, poor health outcomes, gender-based discrimination, and environmental degradation continue to limit the potential of women, girls, sex workers, and other marginalized populations.

TCI works to create sustainable pathways for individuals and communities to thrive by addressing the interconnected challenges of social exclusion, economic vulnerability, health disparities, and environmental injustice. Through community-driven approaches, the organization empowers people to become active participants in improving their own lives and shaping the future of their communities.

The organization’s programs focus on women’s empowerment, gender justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV prevention and care, economic strengthening, livelihoods development, environmental conservation, climate resilience, community leadership, and advocacy. TCI also supports marginalized populations, including sex workers and other underserved groups, to access essential services, claim their rights, and participate meaningfully in social and economic development processes.
A key pillar of TCI’s work is promoting sustainable livelihoods and household economic resilience through entrepreneurship, skills development, income-generating activities, and financial inclusion initiatives. The organization believes that economic empowerment is fundamental to reducing vulnerability, improving wellbeing, and fostering long-term community stability.

In the health sector, TCI advances disease prevention, health education, and access to quality healthcare services through awareness campaigns, community outreach, and partnerships with health stakeholders. Simultaneously, the organization champions environmental stewardship by promoting clean and green communities, climate-smart practices, environmental conservation, and community-led advocacy for sustainable development.

6. Addictiion Counter Reduction Initiative (ACRI)

Addiction Counter Reduction Initiative (ACRI) is a community-led civil society organization dedicated to advancing harm reduction, mental health, public health, and human rights among vulnerable and underserved populations in Migori and Homa Bay Counties, with a strong presence along the Lake Victoria region and the Kenya–Tanzania border corridor. Founded and led by individuals with lived and professional experience in substance use and community health, ACRI works to promote evidence-based, rights-centered, and people-focused approaches to addressing substance use and its associated social and health challenges.

With a growing membership of more than 320 individuals across the region, ACRI serves as a platform for advocacy, empowerment, and collective action among people who use drugs and other affected communities. The organization recognizes that punitive and stigmatizing responses to drug use often exacerbate health risks, social exclusion, poverty, and human rights violations. As such, ACRI champions public health interventions that prioritize dignity, inclusion, safety, and access to essential services.

The organization works to reduce the adverse health, social, and economic consequences associated with substance use, including vulnerability to HIV, viral hepatitis, mental health conditions, overdose, and other preventable harms. Through community outreach, health education, peer support, psychosocial services, advocacy, research, and stakeholder engagement, ACRI promotes access to harm reduction services, mental health support, treatment, rehabilitation, and social protection programs.
ACRI is also an emerging voice in research, policy analysis, and advocacy on issues relating to substance use, public health, and human rights. The organization engages communities, policymakers, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and development partners to promote evidence-informed policies and practices that protect public health while upholding the rights and dignity of affected populations.

Since its establishment, ACRI has worked to challenge misconceptions surrounding people who use drugs and harm reduction programming. The organization firmly rejects narratives that associate harm reduction efforts with drug promotion or recruitment into substance use. Instead, ACRI’s work is grounded in internationally recognized public health and human rights principles that seek to reduce preventable harm, improve health outcomes, support recovery pathways, strengthen community resilience, and foster social inclusion.

7. Migori Feminist Initiative (MFI)

Migori Feminist Initiative (MFI) is a feminist, community-led organization founded in December 2020 by a collective of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer (LBQ) womxn in Migori County, Kenya. The organization was established in response to the persistent exclusion, invisibility, discrimination, and underrepresentation of LBQ womxn in social, economic, political, and leadership spaces. Guided by a shared vision of equality and justice, MFI works to strengthen the visibility, voice, agency, and leadership of LBQ womxn while advancing their rights and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

MFI is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces where LBQ womxn can build confidence, develop leadership skills, access opportunities, and actively contribute to shaping their communities and society. The organization recognizes that sustainable social transformation requires the inclusion of diverse voices, particularly those that have historically been marginalized and excluded from positions of influence and power.

The organization’s work focuses on feminist leadership development, human rights advocacy, community organizing, gender justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, economic empowerment, safety and security, and civic engagement. Through capacity strengthening, mentorship, advocacy campaigns, and movement building, MFI empowers LBQ womxn to challenge systemic barriers and pursue leadership opportunities across political, social, economic, and community sectors.

As an active member of broader feminist and queer movements across Western Kenya and beyond, MFI contributes to collective advocacy efforts, solidarity building, and movement strengthening aimed at advancing equality, inclusion, and social justice for LBQ communities. The organization collaborates with grassroots groups, civil society organizations, government institutions, and development partners to promote policies and practices that uphold human rights and foster inclusive development.
Guided by feminist principles, community leadership, inclusion, and social justice, Migori Feminist Initiative envisions a future where LBQ womxn are visible, respected, safe, and empowered to lead and influence decisions that affect their lives and communities.

8. Intersex 4 Intersex Organization

Intersex 4 Intersex Organization (I4I) is a community-led organization dedicated to advancing the rights, dignity, health, and wellbeing of intersex persons and their families across Kenya. The organization operates in Migori, Kisii, Narok, Kisumu, Kakamega, Bomet, Kericho, and Homa Bay counties, working to address the social, legal, economic, and health challenges faced by intersex persons.

I4I promotes human rights advocacy, access to healthcare, psychosocial support, legal empowerment, community awareness, and policy engagement to ensure that intersex persons are recognized, protected, and included in all aspects of society. Through community mobilization, leadership development, research, and strategic partnerships, the organization empowers intersex persons and their families to claim their rights, access essential services, and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.

The organization collaborates with government institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and development partners to eliminate stigma, discrimination, and harmful practices while advancing inclusive policies and systems that uphold the rights and dignity of intersex persons. Guided by the principles of equality, inclusion, human dignity, and social justice, Intersex 4 Intersex envisions a society where all intersex persons can live freely, safely, and with equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

9. Cross Border Service Organization

 (CBSO) is a human rights and humanitarian organization operating along the Kenya–Tanzania border region. The organization is dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights, safety, health, and wellbeing of vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved populations, particularly human rights defenders, survivors of violence, and individuals at risk.

CBSO provides emergency response and protection services, including relocation support, psychosocial assistance, referral pathways, and access to justice for individuals facing threats, discrimination, or persecution. The organization also implements health interventions targeting hard-to-reach and mobile populations, including long-distance truck drivers, border communities, key populations, and other underserved groups who often experience barriers to healthcare and social services.

Through partnerships with community groups, government agencies, and development partners, CBSO works to strengthen human rights protection mechanisms, improve access to quality healthcare, promote social inclusion, and build resilient communities. Guided by the principles of dignity, equity, justice, and human rights, the organization strives to create a safer and more inclusive society where every individual can live free from violence, discrimination, and exclusion

10. Team Wisdom Organization

Team Wisdom is a community-led organization based in Migori County, Kenya, with a strong presence in Uriri and Awendo Sub-Counties. The organization works to advance the health, safety, wellbeing, and human rights of Gay, Bisexual, and other Men who have Sex with Men (GBMSM), a population that continues to face significant barriers to healthcare, protection, social inclusion, and economic opportunities.

Founded by community members with lived experience, Team Wisdom was established in response to the persistent challenges affecting GBMSM communities, including stigma, discrimination, violence, limited access to healthcare services, mental health concerns, and violations of human rights. The organization recognizes that meaningful and sustainable change can only be achieved when communities are empowered to lead solutions that address their unique needs and realities.
At the core of Team Wisdom’s work is the promotion of comprehensive health interventions aimed at improving access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support services, sexual and reproductive health information, mental health and psychosocial support, and community-based health education. Through peer-led outreach, health system strengthening, and strategic partnerships, the organization contributes to improved health outcomes and increased service uptake among GBMSM populations.

In addition to health programming, Team Wisdom implements safety and protection interventions that respond to violence, discrimination, and human rights violations affecting community members. The organization provides crisis response, referrals, psychosocial support, safety planning, and community resilience initiatives that help create safer environments for vulnerable individuals.

Team Wisdom also invests in community leadership, advocacy, and capacity strengthening to ensure that GBMSM voices are represented in local development, health, and human rights conversations. By fostering partnerships with government institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and development partners, the organization works to promote inclusive policies, reduce inequalities, and strengthen community systems.

Guided by the values of dignity, inclusion, equity, accountability, and community leadership, Team Wisdom envisions a society where all GBMSM individuals can access quality healthcare, live free from violence and discrimination, and realize their full potential. Through its grassroots approach and commitment to community empowerment, Team Wisdom continues to build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities across Migori County.

10. TRANSGENDER INTERSEX IN ACTION (TIA NGUVU PAMOJA)

Transgender Intersex in Action (TIA NGUVU PAMOJA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 2016 and legally registered in 2020 in Burundi. Since its establishment, TIA NGUVU PAMOJA has been committed to becoming a leading movement advocating for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of transgender and intersex people in Burundi. The organization was founded in response to the widespread discrimination,
stigma, violence, and social exclusion experienced by transgender and intersex communities, as well as their limited access to essential services.
TIA works to build a society free from oppression, discrimination, and hatred, where every Individual enjoys equal rights, equal opportunities, and lives with dignity regardless of their gender identity or sex characteristics.

Vision
A Burundian society where human rights are recognized, respected, and enjoyed by everyone
without any form of discrimination.

Mission

 To empower vulnerable people in Burundi, particularly transgender and intersex persons, by promoting and protecting their human rights, strengthening advocacy initiatives to influence national legislation and public policies, and contributing to a more inclusive, equitable, and just society. Strategic Objectives 

1. To contribute to the promotion of human rights and the socio-economic development of Burundi.

 2. To strengthen advocacy initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing human rights violations affecting individuals and organizations. 

3. To contribute to the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV), while supporting the psychosocial reintegration of survivors.

 4. To promote the socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable populations through sustainable livelihood opportunities. 

Areas of Intervention TIA NGUVU PAMOJA implements programs in the following areas:

1. Improving access to social services. 

2. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV prevention and response. 

3. Psychological counseling and psychosocial support. 

4. Human rights protection and advocacy. 

5. Prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). 

6. Mental health promotion and support. 

7. Economic reintegration and livelihood strengthening for beneficiaries. 

8. Employment promotion and entrepreneurship development to reduce unemployment.

Target Groups
TIA NGUVU PAMOJA primarily serves:
1. Transgender people.
2. Intersex people.
3. Other vulnerable individuals and communities facing discrimination, violence, and
social exclusion.

Geographic Coverage
TIA NGUVU PAMOJA operates throughout the Republic of Burundi, implementing
programs at the national level.

Head Office
Address:
Commune of Ntahangwa
Gihosha Zone
Mutanga Nord
Avenue des Hippopotames No. 01
Bujumbura, Burundi
Mail : tiaburundi@gmail.com