The Institute for the Study of Human Rights wishes to thank Dr. Theodorus G. Sandfort of the Mailman School of Public Health for his contributions to the development of HRAP participants over the years. Dr. Sandfort–aka Dr. Theo–is the longest-serving faculty mentor in HRAP’s history, having mentored the overwhelming majority of LGBTQI+ advocates since 2011.
Dr. Theo set aside time every week to meet with the advocates in his office. He guided the advocates in thinking about their future academic studies, their own well-being, and their organizations’ research agendas. During his travels to Africa to conduct his own research, Dr. Theo would set aside time to meet with the advocates he had mentored while they were in HRAP.
2016 Advocate Jeffrey Wambaya of Kenya said that when Dr. Theo visited him and his colleagues at ISHTAR-MSM, he gave them books that he had carried from his office in NYC. Jeffrey recalled that before he met Dr. Theo, the team at ISHTAR-MSM didn’t know how to conduct research. With Dr. Theo’s guidance, Jeffrey said that research is now a regular part of the organization’s work.
Wisdom Bebli of the 2019 HRAP fondly remembers his mentor: “Dr. Theo has been a wonderful and amazing mentor. I wish he would long continue to mentor great advocates and activists from Africa. Dr. Theo doesn’t only mentor individual advocates—he mentors their entire organization and the communities that they work in. After their HRAP participation, he will plan a research trip to their country that will inform policies and strategic decision making in their country/ field of work. As part of the faculty mentorship in HRAP, Dr. Theo organized additional networking for his mentees as well as excursions in NYC. He always made sure we had some fun in addition to our work. I am where I am today because of Dr. Theo’s mentorship. I appreciate him so much. Medaase, Dr. Theo!”
2014 Advocate Esther Adhiambo of Kenya said the following about Dr. Theo: “What a great human being who was patient with me as he took me through the basic principles of research. I would ask him the same question tens of times and he would still answer me without feeling that I was either bothering him or I was just not interested. Theo cared for me as a guardian and not just a mentor. It was my first time being away from home for a long time and he ensured I didn't miss home much as he was not just my mentor but also a friend. Thank you for all the contributions you have made to the worldwide LGBT+ movement through all the activists you mentored. Your impact is surely being felt in all corners of the world. We love you and wish you all the love and care you may need.”
Upon “graduating” from HRAP, Dr. Theo said, “I am looking back at having made connections with impressive young advocates. It has been interesting to learn from them!” While he is no longer mentoring advocates, Dr. Theo remains a cherished member of the HRAP family. Thank you, Dr. Theo!
The following advocates benefited from Dr. Theo’s mentorship:
2011 Advocate Ifeanyi Orazulike, Nigeria
2014 Advocate Esther Adhiambo, Kenya
2015 Advocate Elvis Hoxhaj, Albania
2016 Advocate Jeffrey Wambaya, Kenya
2016 Advocate Samuel Matsikure, Zimbabwe
2016 Advocate Mulshid Muwonge, Uganda
2017 Advocate Star Rugori, Burundi
2017 Advocate, Kenedy Abor Owiti, Kenya
2018 Advocate Pepe Onziema, Uganda
2019 Advocate Wisdom Kwame Bebli, Ghana
2019 Advocate Nkali Biggie, Uganda
2020-21 Advocate Ifanem Itoro Effiong, Nigeria
2020-21 Advocate Renae Green, Jamaica
2021-22 Advocate Dominique St. Vil, Haiti
2021-22 Advocate Daniel Villatoro, Guatemala
2022-23 Advocate Jade Jacobs-Wort, South Africa
2022-23 Advocate Anonymous
The entire 2023-24 HRAP report is available
here.
