Our Programs

Comprehensive programs that address the interconnected needs of post-conflict communities in Northern Uganda.

Education

Education Support & Scholarships

YDO provides educational support and scholarships to vulnerable children, ensuring access to quality education from early childhood through secondary levels. We understand that education is fundamental to breaking cycles of poverty and creating opportunities for lasting change.

Our education programs include school supplies, tuition support, academic advocacy, and mentoring. We work closely with schools and families to ensure children have the resources they need to succeed academically and personally.

  • Scholarships for vulnerable children from early childhood through secondary education
  • School supplies and educational materials
  • Academic advocacy and support
  • Mentoring and guidance programs

Impact

Through our partnership with Be A Number, we support education infrastructure that serves hundreds of students, while our scholarship programs ensure vulnerable children have access to these opportunities.

Market-Linked Training

Our vocational programs are designed based on local market needs, ensuring that skills training leads directly to employment and livelihood opportunities.

Skills Development

Vocational Training

YDO provides practical skills training that connects directly to livelihood opportunities. Our vocational programs teach marketable skills in sewing, construction, and other in-demand trades.

Training is designed to respond to local market needs, ensuring participants can use their skills to generate income and build sustainable livelihoods. We work with local businesses and cooperatives to create pathways from training to employment.

  • Sewing and tailoring skills
  • Construction and building trades
  • Other marketable trade skills
  • Business skills and cooperative formation
Well-Being

Psycho-Social Support

In post-conflict communities, addressing trauma and building emotional resilience is essential for long-term recovery. YDO provides counseling, life skills development, and trauma-informed care to support healing and personal growth.

Our psycho-social programs create safe spaces for individuals to process experiences, develop coping strategies, and build the personal skills needed to thrive. We integrate these services with education and vocational programs to provide holistic support.

  • Individual and group counseling
  • Trauma-informed care and support
  • Life skills development
  • Peer support groups

Holistic Approach

Psycho-social support is integrated with all our programs, recognizing that healing and personal growth are essential foundations for education, employment, and community participation.

Protection & Rights

We work to create protective environments where children are safe, their rights are respected, and they have opportunities to thrive.

Advocacy

Child Welfare Advocacy

YDO advocates for children's rights and welfare, with particular attention to children with disabilities and those in vulnerable situations. We work with families, communities, and local authorities to create protective environments and ensure children's needs are met.

Our advocacy work includes promoting children's rights, supporting families, and mobilizing communities to protect and care for vulnerable children.

  • Advocacy for children's rights
  • Support for children with disabilities
  • Family support services
  • Community mobilization for child protection
Livelihoods

Economic Empowerment

YDO supports women and youth in building sustainable livelihoods and economic independence. Our economic empowerment programs connect vocational training to job creation, business development, and cooperative formation.

We work with local businesses and cooperatives to create pathways from training to employment, supporting income-generating activities that contribute to household and community economic stability.

  • Women's economic participation
  • Youth livelihood support
  • Business development support
  • Cooperative formation and support

Sustainable Livelihoods

Economic empowerment creates pathways to self-sufficiency, reducing dependency on external aid and strengthening community resilience.

Community Engagement

Community Mobilization

YDO engages communities in planning, implementation, and ownership of development initiatives. We believe that sustainable change comes from community leadership and participation at every level.

Community-Led Planning

All programs are designed with input from community leaders and members, ensuring initiatives reflect local priorities and build on existing strengths.

Local Implementation

Programs are implemented by local staff and volunteers, creating employment opportunities and building local capacity.

Community Ownership

Communities take ownership of programs, ensuring sustainability beyond our initial involvement and creating lasting change.

Capacity Building

We invest in building local leadership and organizational capacity, strengthening communities' ability to drive their own development.

Learn More About Our Impact

See how our programs are creating lasting change in Northern Uganda.

View Our Impact