Community Health Initiatives for Youth (CHIYN) is an LGBTI-led non-profit organization providing vital health and other social services for LGBTI community members in Minna City in Niger State, Nigeria. Over the past two years, CHIYN has provided health services for over 3,700 members of the community via a drop in center and health outreach sessions-focused on HIV/AIDS, TB, healthy living and of late, COVID prevention.  CHIYN’s motto is like many similar organizations:  “Nothing For Us Without Us.”

Due to extreme homo/transphobia, LGBTI persons are often “kicked out” of their families and homes, and left to fend for themselves,  As a community organization, CHIYN has mobilized the community to help itself.  For the past two years, CHIYN has been able to cover costs of a safe house for numerous LGBTI community members to have safe temporary housing when in need.  This relatively modest home has been a life saver for so many.  During COVID, with such severe restrictions and lockdowns of late, things have gotten worse.  CHIYN’s membership is now struggling to pay the rent for the coming year starting in October 2021 (In Nigeria, rent must be paid for an entire year).  In total, CHIYN is looking for $1,900 for the annual rent.   

Can you chip in to assist CHIYN in their efforts to serve their community?