Youth Alive Uganda Background
How a Kamwokya maternity ward, a growing HIV epidemic, and one nun's conviction became a nationwide youth movement.
Youth Alive Uganda was founded in 1993, under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Sr. Dr. Miriam Duggan, an Irish Franciscan missionary nun who was one of the leading actors in designing and running HIV/AIDS responses at the time.
Youth Alive came about as a response to the ever-increasing numbers of young people that were being infected with the virus, many of whom showed up in Nsambya Hospital where Sr. Miriam worked, and in Kamwokya where she lived at the time. The scenario at hand spelt doom, because the most productive and energetic category of the population faced an enormous threat of being wiped out, before they could even live out their dreams.
Her interaction with non-infected young people also confirmed that there was a growing sense of hopelessness and helplessness that could only be countered by the formation of positive, like-minded groups of young people, ready to live differently and to multiply hope. Thus, the name "Youth Alive" was born, with the energising tagline — "Time to Act."
Kamwokya, 1993
Statement of Belief
We believe that young people and the entire community have the inherent capacity to change attitudes and behavior. The power to fulfill this capacity is often denied or is not exercised. This power must now be recognized, called forth and supported from within and without — enabling young people to initiate change and sustain behavior that promotes a healthy state of mind, body, spirit and environment. A critical component in this process is a supportive response to the most vulnerable young people.
We recognize that change of attitudes, perceptions and beliefs at individual and community level, in the present health, social and economic environment, is a complex and ongoing process. It is inextricably linked to basic human values such as care, love, faith, family and friendship, respect for people and cultures, solidarity and support.
The present social, economic, political and health environment affects all young people. Our experience working with and through young people proves that behavior change is possible. We believe that behavior change is the most essential strategy in overcoming the current youth quandary.
Mission & Vission
"Youth living life to the full."
Our yearning is to enable young people to initiate change and sustain behaviours that promote a healthy state of mind, body, spirit and environment.
Holistically empower youth.
Holistically empower youth aged 9–30 years to be resilient and live fulfilling lives.
Core Values
Respect for Life
Restoring hope to hopeless young people.
Exemplary Lifestyles
Based on responsibility, honesty and reverence for God, and respect for life.
Accountability
At all times, to ourselves and each other, our beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Continuous Learning
Learning new skills, acquiring knowledge, improving performance and practicing innovation.
Our four Key Result Areas
Dignified and Gainful Employment
Youth Alive Uganda, in partnership with its development partners, aims at increasing dignified and gainful employment opportunities for out-of-school youth aged 18–24 in both formal and informal employment. We build youth capacity in vocational skills, work readiness and employability, and facilitate linkages to profitable markets, market infrastructure, youth-friendly financial services, and enterprise development support — enhanced with our Education for Life (EFL) and foundational skills sessions.
Our key innovation is the creation of mobile vocational skilling centers, targeting hard-to-reach, illiterate youth. A labour survey identifies skills gaps; youth are mobilized into training cohorts; local artisans are trained in participatory methodologies; and community structures are converted into fully equipped training centers. Trainees complete three months of hands-on skilling and a one-month apprenticeship, before sitting Directorate of Industrial Training examinations for Level One certification.
Increase in Access of Government Services
Youth Alive Uganda's success lies in implementing programmes that remain sustainable after funding ends. We work to increase access to youth-friendly Local Government services by conducting gap analysis on policy implementation, building capacity of service providers, empowering youth to demand services, and running focused community advocacy campaigns — while strengthening safety and parent-child relationships in homes and communities.
Recognized Center of Excellence
Youth Alive Uganda is accredited by recognized institutions, including a Centre Number for vocational skilling from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT). We have a fully established training department and have built strategic partnerships with key government ministries, agencies, and networks such as the World Health Organisation's Implementing Best Practice Network (IBP Network) and the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance (SRHR Alliance). Our resource mobilization department documents and disseminates tested best practices in youth work.
Improved Sexual and Reproductive Health of Children
We aim to increase access to Sexual Reproductive Health information and services for youth through age-appropriate, integrated and youth-responsive SRH information and services — including linkages to psychosocial support, and facilitating enrolment and retention of HIV-positive children, youth and their caregivers into HIV care through to viral load suppression. We work to shift attitudes and norms at the personal and community level to improve uptake of health services.
