KOURAJ is a group of masisi activists, fighting for the fundamental human rights of LGBTI+ persons in Haiti. KOURAJ defines masisi as “all persons who were, are, or will be potentially or actually discriminated against and/or stigmatized due to his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.” By empowering and mobilizing a veritable masisi community, unimposed by outsiders, KOURAJ seeks to change Haitian society through a Haitian rights-based movement.

Through funding from the MBI, KOURAJ  will provide mental health support for people in the Haitian LGBTI+ community who are HIV positive. While providing psychological support, they will also provide training on knowing one’s rights. The daily denial of basic human rights damages this vulnerable population’s mental health immensely. Having found a local psychologist who can facilitate culturally grounded mental health and well-being counselling, KOURAJ will now identify participants in this project and provide them with the type of support they need.