Members of Pakistan’s trans community. | Photo: Facebook/TransAction Pakistan
Pakistan will get a home for older trans people that will offer free food and accommodation.
The home will open in Lahore – Pakistan’s second biggest city – and comes just weeks after the country opened its first school for transgender students.
Aashi Butt, a long-time trans activist funded the home entirely from her own money.
She started working on the passion project in 2011 and is thrilled it has finally come to fruition.
‘I’ve spent all of my earnings from dancing and singing on this project,’ she told The Tribune.
‘Built for the transgender community, the project aims at providing food and shelter to the transgenders who’ve spent their lives dancing for others’ happiness or begging on streets, but now, due to ageing have no place to go to.
‘They aren’t able to keep up the performances due to illness and old age.’
Dancing at private events is one of the sole sources of income for trans people in Pakistan who often find it difficult to find other types of employment.
A new home in Pakistan
The aged care home will provide a refuge for poor trans people and those whose families have rejected them.
A doctor will be on call around the clock to provide free medical care.
The home will have prayer corner, lounge room with TV and a games area. Their meals will also be provided to them and made to their tastes.
Due to open at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan (15 May), 60 people have already applied to move into the home.
‘These people, rejected by their loved ones, can live in this old home like a big family,’ Butt said.
‘(They) will be together in each other’s sorrow and happiness.’
