Our Impact

Transforming lives and building resilient communities across Northern Uganda through evidence-based programs and sustainable interventions.

Overall Impact 2024

Measurable outcomes demonstrating our commitment to sustainable community development

Individuals Supported into Employment

Functional VSLAs Established

Community Members Trained on Rights

Evidence-Based Community Reports

Stories of Transformation

Real lives changed through vocational training and economic empowerment

Aduk Elizabeth - From Casual Labor to Business Owner

Tailoring Entrepreneur, Lira

Before 2024, Elizabeth survived on casual labor in people's gardens, barely able to feed her two children. After enrolling in SOHURA's Sewing and Tailoring Skills Project, she learned not only sewing but also business management.

Impact: Elizabeth now operates her own tailoring shop, pays her children's school fees independently, and has purchased her own sewing machine. She mentors other women and has become a respected entrepreneur in her community.

"This project gave me hope and dignity. I'm no longer struggling—I'm thriving and helping others."

Awio Ritah - Discovering Passion in Fashion

Fashion Designer, Lira

Ritah joined the project with little confidence and no sewing experience, completely dependent on her husband's minimal earnings. Through dedicated training, she discovered her passion for fashion design, specializing in cultural attire.

Impact: Ritah now earns steady income, contributes to household expenses, supports her younger siblings' education, and mentors two young women. She's becoming known for blending modern styles with traditional patterns.

"When women are empowered with skills, they uplift not only themselves but also others around them."

Aduku Ruth - Breaking Free from Food Insecurity

Tailoring Business Owner, Lira

Ruth's family depended on subsistence farming, but erratic weather meant poor harvests and food insecurity. The tailoring project provided her with skills independent of weather conditions.

Impact: Ruth now provides three balanced meals daily for her family, pays school fees without worry, and has started constructing a permanent house. She joined a savings group and purchased her own sewing machine through a small loan.

"Vocational training broke the cycle of poverty in my family. What once seemed impossible is now reality."

Akoli Safira - Independence Through Skills

Children's Clothing Specialist, Lira

As a young mother dependent on her husband's unstable income, Safira lived in constant anxiety about her child's health and education. Tailoring training gave her a path to independence.

Impact: Safira now specializes in children's clothing, earning steady income to support her child's medical care and education. She no longer depends entirely on her husband, which has improved her confidence and family standing.

"This project gave me more than tailoring—it gave me purpose, hope, and means to build a brighter future."

Program-Specific Outcomes

Detailed impact across our core intervention areas

Vocational Skills & Youth Empowerment

  • 197 slum youth trained in marketable skills (2024)
  • 53 youth started sustainable businesses
  • 308 beneficiaries in long-term skills training
  • 124 beneficiaries in short-term intensive training
  • Average daily income of $2.4 for mobile hairdressing services
  • 100% employment/self-employment rate among graduates

Financial Inclusion & VSLAs

  • 40+ Village Savings and Loans Associations established
  • Youth able to pool resources and access small loans
  • 5% average increase in beneficiary well-being since 2022
  • Enhanced financial resilience and economic empowerment
  • Improved savings culture among vulnerable populations
  • Access to capital for income-generating activities

SGBV Prevention & Response

  • 134 slum youth received psychosocial support
  • Nearly 120 women engaged in income-generating activities
  • 100% of women in IGAs reporting weekly net profits
  • 4 Child Protection and Well-being Committees established
  • 925+ community members sensitized through dialogues
  • 9 women received land through partnership with District Land Board

Sexual & Reproductive Health

  • 100+ girls accessed ASRHR services and information
  • Increased condom and family planning uptake
  • STI treatment facilitated for young people
  • Comprehensive SRHR education provided
  • Teenage mothers received medical and academic support
  • Enhanced well-being and self-worth among beneficiaries

Lessons Learned & Recommendations

Insights from our programs informing future interventions

Key Lessons Learned

  • Holistic Rehabilitation: Complete cycle involving psychosocial support, economic empowerment, and social capital building is essential
  • Comprehensive Assessment: Thorough identification and assessment processes are vital for successful vocational training
  • Community Collaboration: Partnerships with local leaders, social workers, and volunteers enhance program effectiveness
  • Psychosocial Support: Critical for addressing holistic needs of vulnerable youth, especially in slum settings
  • VSLA Sustainability: Ongoing support and monitoring needed to ensure long-term functionality

Recommendations for Scale & Sustainability

  • Strengthen recruitment and retention of skilled vocational instructors
  • Enhance partnerships for job placements, internships, and financial services
  • Prioritize ongoing support for vulnerable youth, including teenage mothers
  • Implement continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
  • Intensify efforts to promote sustainability of VSLAs
  • Aim for program sustainability and scalability in empowering vulnerable youth