I arrived in Nairobi only days after Shamaila had flown onto the next stop on her trip, eager to pick up where she had left off.
For those of you who read the post from Day 248, Crane will be a familiar face. The Executive Director of Lunko Haute Couture, a community-led organization equipping the LGBTIQ community with tailoring and modelling skills, Crane is fast becoming known in the Nairobi fashion scene. He’s a shining example of finding abundance in a space that, upon first glance, seems so scarce.
We heard rumors that Crane was planning a charity fashion show – and I couldn’t resist investigating.
As we sat down together in the Lunko Haute Couture safe house, Crane chatted excitedly about the big event he was planning. The Ubuntu Refugee Charity Fashion Walk will take place in November, and will harness the power and creativity of designers across Nairobi to fund the establishment of a refugee learning center. Here LGBTQI refugees can easily access skills training and other learning opportunities free from fear and discrimination, providing a much-needed lifeline out of the rampant poverty the community are facing.
It was clear from our conversation that Crane was bursting with abundance, and how could we say no to supporting this amazing cause?!
We headed straight out to a bustling market on the outskirts of Nairobi and picked up several meters of beautiful fabrics to help Crane and the Lunko Haute Couture team create some iconic looks for the big night.
It’s hard to imagine how the night won’t be anything short of amazing with all Crane’s creativity, but we’re happy we could play even the smallest part in the amazing event.
Interested in learning more about Lunko Haute Couture? Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lubegaAdracMusa254/
Meet Jamie! Jamie is Alight’s Global Inclusivity Advisor based out of London, UK, and works with our teams internationally to ensure marginalized communities are given the tools necessary to live lives filled with joy, meaning and purpose. He is particularly passionate about working with LGBTIQ asylum seekers and refugees in East Africa, who are some of the world’s most vulnerable. Need to contact Jamie? Feel free to reach out: jamiec@wearealight.org.
