Our Partnership

YDO serves as a core implementation partner with Be A Number, International, combining local knowledge with strategic systems design to create lasting change.

Working Together for Change

YDO works in close partnership with Be A Number, International, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that supports the development of sustainable community systems in Northern Uganda.

In this partnership, YDO remains the locally-led implementing organization, guiding priorities, execution, and community engagement. Be A Number provides strategic support, infrastructure investment, and long-term systems development alongside YDO's leadership.

This collaborative model ensures that programs are community-driven, locally owned, institutionally strengthened, and sustainable over the long term. Together, the organizations align around shared goals while honoring distinct roles — combining local leadership with global partnership to create durable, community-owned change.

Partnership Principles

  • Community-Driven: Local priorities guide all initiatives
  • Locally Owned: Programs are owned by the communities they serve
  • Institutionally Strengthened: Building capacity for long-term sustainability
  • Sustainable: Systems that endure beyond external support

How Our Partnership Works

Be A Number's Role

Be A Number provides strategic support, infrastructure investment, and long-term systems development alongside YDO's leadership:

  • Strategic support and systems development
  • Infrastructure investment (schools, medical centers, training facilities)
  • Resource mobilization and funding
  • Long-term systems development support

YDO's Role

YDO remains the locally-led implementing organization, guiding priorities, execution, and community engagement:

  • Local leadership and priority-setting
  • On-the-ground program implementation
  • Community mobilization and engagement
  • Local staff and volunteer management
  • Cultural context and community relationships

Integration Across Systems

Education: Infrastructure + Support

Be A Number supports education infrastructure (like the 380-student capacity school), while YDO provides scholarships, school supplies, and academic advocacy. Together, these ensure that infrastructure serves those most in need and that vulnerable children have access to educational opportunities.

Training: Vocational + Job Creation

YDO's vocational and life-skills training connects with Be A Number's workforce development goals and economic empowerment initiatives. Vocational curricula are integrated with market linkages and cooperative formations, creating pathways from training to employment.

Health: Outreach + Psycho-Social Support

Be A Number's medical outreach and health initiatives (700+ patient visits in 2025) are coordinated with YDO's education and psycho-social support structures. This holistic approach reinforces community stability and growth by addressing both physical and emotional well-being.

Community Welfare: Advocacy + Empowerment

YDO's advocacy for children with disabilities, vulnerable families, and women's economic participation enhances the holistic system Be A Number builds. This ensures that programs address systemic issues and create protective environments for all community members.

Strategic Opportunities

Scaling Community Systems

Expand education and training footprints by combining Be A Number's infrastructure support with YDO's localized programming and outreach capacity.

Strengthening Workforce Pathways

Integrate vocational curricula with market linkages and cooperative formations supported jointly by both organizations.

Holistic Well-Being

Coordinate health initiatives with education and psycho-social support structures to reinforce community stability and growth.

Our Combined Impact

Through this partnership, community systems in Northern Uganda are being strengthened across multiple dimensions. All impact is locally implemented and community-owned, with YDO serving as the primary on-the-ground organization driving outcomes. Together, we are working toward reaching 20,000+ lives over five years and demonstrating how community-led development creates lasting transformation in post-conflict regions.

Interested in Learning More?

Contact us to learn more about our partnership or how you can support our work.

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