RAHU Annual Report 2018

W W W . R E A C H A H A N D . O R G

FROM INNOVATION TO SCALE: PROMOTING ACCESS TO THE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN UGANDA

ANNUAL REPORT CONTENT

PICTORIAL 2018 ACTIVITIES

PROMOTING ACCESS TO THE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN UGANDA

28

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

FROM INNOVATION TO SCA LE :

20

14

15

09

22

KEY MILESTONE AND HIGHT-LIGHTS

EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE

OUR 2018 IN NUMBERS

BOLD ADVOCACY

I would like to express our great enthusiasm in the way Reach A Hand Uganda has strengthened its systems and functions that has created a transparent and clear environment for young people to push the envelope of creativity and innovation across the board. New policies and guidelines have improved and streamlined the way we do business and cope with the demands of a constantly growing work environment .

Through the ‘Make 12.4% work’ initiative, disability inclusion became part of our deliberate efforts to empower young people with disabilities (PWDs) to find gainful employment,

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON, ADVISORY BOARD

T

his

year,

we

have

witnessed

an expansion of our staff, and

and there’s now a dedicated staff working tirelessly to realise this goal. As the organisation grows, we realise the need to continuously improve the capacity of our team so that they can ably respond to the needs of ALL young people and our partners.

Volunteerism and our peer education model continues to be an effective strategy in empowering young people with Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information

this represents the fact that the

and services I would therefore like to thank and appreciate

organisation is growing at a blistering rate.

the relentless contributions of our peer educators across

It also reminds us to do more to empower more young people in the communities and

the different districts who have tirelessly led our schools and community activities. It’s my great pleasure to thank the amazing team at Reach A Hand for their passion, dedication

schools. We have seen an expansion in the

and commitment in ensuring that young people are well

districts of intervention from 22 fulltime in

guided to lead meaningful interventions in the communities

2017 to 31 in 2018

where they come from.

Finally, I wish to extend my appreciation to all our partners for their unyielding support extended to our initiatives. In 2018, we pushed the boundaries of our partnerships and engaged government agencies, ministries, and donors. We understand that changing the state of our young people requires a concerted effort of our partners, and we are always glad to have and engage in meaningful partnerships

CHAIRPERSON, REACH A HAND UGANDA ADVISORY BOARD

4

that result in solid improvements in the wellbeing of young Ugandans. . Thank you for believing in young people and our only hope is that we continue to collaborate and work together to improve the lives of young people.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

FOREWORD FROM THE TEAM LEADER

I

t is with great pleasure that I present to you our 2018 annual report themed, From Innovation to Scale: Advancing

the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Young People in Uganda.

2018 was a year of great leaps in progress for

Equally exciting and worth mentioning, is that we

Reach A Hand Uganda. For the first time in Uganda,

became implementing partners under the Make

we introduced an electronic referral system to

12.4% Work Initiative, a disability inclusion project

supplement the already existing voucher system

where we are advocating for access to opportunities

that has always been used in the country. This has

and livelihoods by people living with disabilities in

seen phenomenal adoption and access to healthcare

Uganda. RAHU staff, peer educators and partners

amongst our target audiences starting with Mbarara

have been impacted by this project.

district as a pilot district.

To be honest, we achieved and got challenged a We took a big leap forward by aggressively scaling

lot in 2018- which you will read through this report.

up the Peer Educators Academy model that we use

Our mission today is sharper than it has ever been.

in Kampala to all major regions in the country. We

Everyday, we continue to pursue the design and

are strong believers in the potential of an empowered

development of innovative solutions that are efficient

generation of young people and this is why using

to achieve the best outcomes.

peer educators not only in the central region, but also West Nile, Eastern, Northern and Western Uganda

I am eternally grateful to our peer educators, cultural

will create a multiplier effect of empowered young

icons, Advisory Board members, staff and partners

people.

for believing in us and our journey to become a leading youth led and youth serving organization.

RAHU as an implementing partner under the Government of Uganda/UNFPA Eighth Country Programme, started implementing in the eight (8) refugee and host communities through the Women, Adolescents and Young People (WAY Programme).

Under this project, we are working together with partners to promote access to sexual reproductive health information and services by young people living in these communities.

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TEAM LEADER, REACH A HAND UGANDA

5

MEET THE 2018 TEAM

Humphrey Nabimanya Founder & Team Leader

Gilbert Beyamba Chief of Staff

Daphne Asiimwe Finance and HR Manager

Janet Kukundakwe Finance Officer

Elizabeth Amanya Finance Officer

Tabitha Akello Office Administrator

Ibrahim Batambuze Waiswa Communications and Advocacy Manager

Sylvester Nnyombi Communications and Advocacy Officer

Yvonne Mya Mpambara Communications and Advocacy officer

Davis Kawalya Communications and Advocacy Officer

Sharon Banura Winyi Partnerships and Reputation Manager

Maureen Andinda Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager

Issa Bukka Programs Manager Ibrahim Nkonge Programmes Officer Charles Emma Ofwono Programmes Officer Peace Dralega Yikiru Project Assistant

Paul Waiswa Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer Amutuhaire Helen Patricia Programmes Officer Bashir Kabuye Programmes Officer Namanya Herman Programmes Assistant

Frances Aanyu Project Assistant

Albert Francis Ongom Project Assistant

Victor Mukosya Transport Officer

Joyce Babirye Hospitality and Welfare

Ezra Mutegaya Office Assistant

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

WHO WE ARE

Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) is a youth led and youth serving organization premised on youth empowerment programs that are centered around Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for young people, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, Behavioural Change Communication, livelihoods and skills development. Targeting a cross section of 12 - 24 year old young people in and out of school, RAHU designs programs, activities and campaigns that put young people at the forefront of their growth and societal change.

RAHU’S FOUNDATION IS ESTABLISHED ON THE VALUES OF:

Youth Driven

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Transparency and Openness

Appreciation for diversity

Teamwork

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR 2018 IN NUMBERS

9,724

13,371

883,345

517

Tested for HIV

Family Planning Services

Condoms Distributed

Peer Educators Empowered

1,236

77,895

2,300,874

Cancer Screening

Young people accessed SRHR information

Young people reached through online platforms

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OUR 2018 HANDPRINT Each year since 2011, we continue to expand our reach to more parts of Uganda seeking to empower young people in different settings and communities and 2018 was no exception. During the year, we carried out interventions in 36 districts, as compared to 33 districts in 2017. Take a look at our presence.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

KARAMOJA REGION: Amudat, Moroto, Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, Napak, and Nakapiripirit EASTERN AND NORTH EAST REGION: Mayuge, Butaleja, Iganga, Jinja, Amuria, Katakwi, Kapchorwa, Pallisa, Buyende, Busia and Bududa.

CENTRAL REGION: WESTERN REGION:

Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso, Masaka.

Mbarara, Kabale, Hoima.

WEST NILE AND NORTHERN REGION: Lira, Agago, Kitgum, Lamwo, Amuru, Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe, Arua, Koboko and Gulu.

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OUR YEAR, KEY MILESTONES AND HIGHLIGHTS

2018 was a huge year for us, we stayed true to ensuring that every young person in Uganda has access to accurate information to aid them in taking crucial life decisions. We worked hands on to empower the youth, engage communities and push for change with our bold advocacy.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

EMPOWERING THE YOUNG PEOPLE

Youth Empowerment Centres, looking at the U-Decide Model

In order, to respond to the SRHR challenges faced by young people, we developed youth empowerment centers, that have created safe spaces for young people to easily interact with their peers and access SRHR information and services, including Family Planning services in a more informal setting. This has been successful as a result of our collaboration with local health facilities. A total of 10 youth empowerment centres were established in the partner health facilities in Mbarara district as a pilot programme.

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EMPOWERING THE YOUNG PEOPLE

Volunteerism at the core of our work, The Peer Educators Academy

Building up on our already strong Kampala based cohort, we moved to West Nile, Northern, Eastern and Western Uganda where we started training district based peer educators. Topics/areas of training included but not limited to, communication skills, team dynamics, entrepreneurship, online communication, social inclusion(PWDs), behavior

change

communication(BCC),

Meaningful

Youth

Participation

and

empowerment (MYPE), community mobilisation, reporting, life skills, HIV/AIDS/STI awareness and prevention, cervical cancer, financial literacy, professional attitude, and Sexual and Reproductive and Rights (SRHR) topics.

A total 517 Peer Educators were engaged in 2018

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•

72 PEA Peer educators in Kampala (41 females and 31 males)

•

50 peer educators under Karamoja HIV Prevention Programme (KARUNA)

•

77 peer educators under (Women, Adolescent and Young People (WAY) programme

•

198 Peer Educators under Better Life For Girls (BL4G) programme

•

40 peer educators under Get Up Speak Out (GUSO) programme

•

50 peer educators under the U-decide Mbarara programme.

•

30 peer educators under the Hoima Connect programme.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

EMPOWERING THE YOUNG PEOPLE

Celebrated innovation and excellence, The Young Achievers Awards

In 2018, the Young Achievers Awards attracted over 600 applications from young innovators and excellent Uganda to be recognized in the fields of Social Entrepreneurship, business, Innovation and ICT, Farming and Agro- Processing, Sports Personality, Music, Media and Journalism, Fashion, Film and Photography.

After a rigorous selection process, the number reduced to the top 45 finalists in 9 categories each carrying 5 finalists. We were more than honored to host Kenya’s Deputy President who has contributed massively towards youth empowerment in the East African region. In his keynote address, he emphasized the importance of investing in young people as drivers of change in the region.

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EMPOWERING THE YOUNG PEOPLE

We made the 12.4 % work

In 2018, Disability inclusion became a key part of our agenda. We became ambassadors under the Make 12.4% Work Initiative Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund with Light for the World as the lead partner. As implementing partners, we are triggering the private, public and development sector to open up employment opportunities and livelihoods programs to the 12.4% of the population of Uganda that lives with a disability. Our Peer Educators Academy opened their doors to 7 peer educators with a disability and we recently hired a staff with a disability as Communications Assistant.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

GET OUR MIX OUT ( GYMO)

Get Your Mix Out (GYMO)

Using our trusted peer educator model, young people who graduated from the 2018 peer educator academy conducted monthly peer learning sessions in the intervention schools of Kampala, Mukono, Mpigi and Wakiso districts. A minimum of 2 peer learning sessions per month in each of the schools were conducted. Results, a total of 222 peer learning sessions were conducted in 28 schools reaching to 5,943 (3,574 females and 2,369 males).

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EMPOWERING THE YOUNG PEOPLE

FLY - Do Your Thing

We are an implementing partner of FLY, a teen empowerment movement in Uganda that aims to build resilience in teens and prevent them from using Tobacco. In 2018, together with our FLY partners we organised the Fly festival that brought together teens in Kampala to celebrate the positive choices they have made. This festival brought together 6,000 teens (young people) across 70 schools as well as out of school young people.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

WAY PROGRAMME LIVE YOUR DREAM

Leaving no one behind, working in Karamoja and the refugee communities

In an effort to create demand for SRHR and GBV services and information of young people in the Acholi and West Nile regions, the Women, Adolescents and Young people (WAY) programme was launched in Arua Arua district. Through the Generation for Generation dialogues conducted between young people and the different stakeholders health workers, district leaders, parents and community members) the programme ensured that young people have the relevant information to enable them address their SRHR and GBV concerns.

Live Your Dream Moment

We implemented the “LIVE YOUR DREAM - Moment�, which is a 45 Minutes conversational platform in collaboration with The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It is aimed at inspiring, informing, influencing and engaging change enthusiasts/agents to take action about challenges affecting young people in Ugandan. A total of 4 Live Your Dream - Moment campaigns/or events were conducted, reaching and impacting an overall 294 participants including young people.

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ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

In 2018, our work to engage communities was in an effort to take the much needed Sexual Reproductive Health Services to the public. We carried out community outreaches, dialogues and concerts where SRH service provision was key. These engagements encouraged conversations and positioned us as a reliable partner who understands the issues that affect these communities the most.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

iKNOW HIV/AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

iKnow HIV/AIDS Awareness Concerts iKnowKati - (Lira, Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale)

In 2018, we hosted 4 grand iKnow HIV/AIDS awareness concerts in Lira, Masaka and Kabale in August-September and crowned up with a full week of activations in Mbarara in the week leading up to the World AIDS Day. We conducted bar activations, integrated community outreaches, moonlight testing, door to door condom distribution and demonstration, and edutainment concerts.

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BOLD ADVOCACY

We believe in youth-led advocacy for young people’s health and wellbeing. In 2018, we successfully run numerous campaigns that allowed us to boldly advocate for the needs of young people. Through these campaigns we provided unique opportunities for policy makers and young people to discuss the challenges, agree on how to support them access adequate Sexual Reproductive Health Information and service.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

SILENCE IS DEADLY SPEAK UP

Silence is deadly campaign

The Voices for Health (VFH) project

sexual and reproductive health services.

partners together with the Ministry

The nationwide campaign continues to

of Health launched a new sexual and

be a strong tool in the advocacy efforts

reproductive

towards a progressive school health

health

(SRH)

advocacy

campaign dubbed “Silence Is Deadly”.

policy.

The aim of the campaign was to show the sexual reproductive health and rights

Through this campaign, we continue to

challenges faced by young Ugandans

advocate for the government to pass a

and

progressive School Health Policy.

call

on

relevant

government

actors and stakeholders to act for the progressive change in young people’s

The month of June saw us and other

access to information and services on

Voices for Health partners take the

Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

#SilenceIsDeadly

The overall project goal was to improve

regions in the country; East, West, North

public approval for protection of young

and West Nile.

campaign

to

four

people’s access to age appropriate

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BOLD ADVOCACY

The Inter-Generational Dialogue

The 4th Intergenerational Dialogue served as a massive advocacy platform. It initiated discourse on the state of Sexuality Education in Uganda, in reference to post Sexuality Education ban. This is an opportunity we leveraged on to involve like-minded CSOs like our Voices for Health partners to have interactive Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) generational conversations.

Every year, the Inter generational Dialogue provides an opportunity for us to assess where the current policies on young people’s SRHR needs stand, evaluate SRHR generational developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a way forward to meet the young people’s Sexual Reproductive Health needs.

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR PARTNERS Our Partners were key in the 2018 journey. Our work would not be possible without them. Their support allows us to help others. It brings us several steps closer to achieving our vision.

ST R AT EG I C A N D A L L I A N C E PA R TN E R S

The Coalition to stop Maternal Mortality due to unsafe abortion Ministry of Education and Sports

Ministry of Health

I M P L E M E N TI N G PA R TN E R S

Makerere School of Public Health

COR P OR AT E M E DI A A N D E N TE R TA I N M E N T

F U N DI N G PA R TN E R S

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OUR FINANCIAL OUTLOOK No.

FUNDING PARTNER

AMOUNT (UGX)

SOURCE OF FUNDING

1.

PPG/Youth Voices for Health Youth Engagement

221,455,850

International

2.

CHOICE/REA

224,646,450

International

3.

UNFPA WAY / RISE / BL4G

4.

Segal Family Foundation (SFF)

5.

RUTGERS - Get Up Speak Out (GUSO)

6.

RHU / RHRN - My Voice My Rights (MVMR)

7.

Global Living Institute (GLI) iKnowKati Concerts

8.

U-Decide

9.

1,522,400,760

Local

82,515,000

Local

426,494,063

International

58,445,747

Local

370,962,630

Local

56,657,000

Local

UHMG / Voices for Health (VfH)

103,012,746

Local

10.

Intergenerational Dialogue

106,545,343

Local

11.

Young Achievers Awards (YAA)

332,234,820

Local

12.

Other Grant costs

372,927,147

Local

13.

FLY

1,593,537,775

Local

14.

DFPA - Hoima Connect

55,610,000

International

15.

Rutgers - RHRN

29,880,000

International

16.

GUSO FlexFund

230,308,000

International

17.

GUSO Mini - Series

147,938,300

International

18.

The Real Man’s Challenge

58,624,000

International

19.

Finance Charges

4,021,704

TOTAL

Local

5,998,217,335

OUR GROWTH OVER THE YEARS EXPENDITURE SUMMARY

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No.

YEAR

ANNUAL EXPENDITURE

GROWTH (%)

1.

2018

3,180,471,821

87%

2.

2017

3,180,471,821

144%

3.

2016

1,300,000,000

18%

4.

2015

1,100,000,000

130%

5.

2014

480,000,000

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

PICTORIAL 2018 ACTIVITIES

PICTORIAL 2018 ACTIVITIES

YOUNG PEOPLE’S LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED

Empowering Young People to support their Peers through the Peer Educators Academy (PEA Robert Mugisa - 2018 Peer Educator (PE)

A

A Hand Uganda Peer Educator Academy (PEA). Fortunately, I was successful admitted to the academy and this is when my engagement started with RAHU started and this was in Jan 2018. The academy started with a 1 month long training and this empowered with skills and experience on how we could empower young people in the communities and schools.

During the PEA training, I was nominated as the class monitor of the academy training, and since then, In have been involved

t the beginning in 2013, I was part of the post-test

in several RAHU activities namely; MixUp, youth program at

club with Naguru Teenage Centre, and this is where

NBS television where we talk about the different SRHR issues

I used to meet with teenagers to discuss their

and topics that affect young people.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues.

This is the same year when I joined Gulu University to pursue

I have also been involved in FLY Uganda activities while

my Bachelors Degree in Development Studies. Then in 2014 I

supporting in the mobilisation of participants. In schools. I have

went for my internship at National Union of disabled Persons

also conducted peer learning sessions in the different RAHU

of Uganda (NUDIPU). Here I was allocated in the department

intervention schools including; Kiwoko secondary school in

of HIV and AIDS for about 3 months. This was my first time to

Nakaseke, Hana mixed academy, iKnow kati in Masaka.

learn about disability and HIV and especially for young people.

This gave me the morale to conduct my academic research on

During these activities, I have been supported by RAHU from

disability and HIV/AIDS.

RAHU as well as my academy peers to effectively empower my fellow young people in communities and schools. Am also a

30

After my University, I tried to look for any available opportunity

youth champion under AfriYAN (African Youth and Adolescents

to become a peer educator, and later in December 2017, I

Network on Population and Development), advocating for

was recommended by Light for the World to apply for Reach

family planning and access to SRHR for young people.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

CHANGE STORY During my time with RAHU, I have acquired skills and gained

conducting refusal skills (which is basically ) skits that have

experience in engaging young people through social media.

empowered young people to make informed choices about

For this, am now currently working as a social media influencer

what happens to them in their daily lives.

at NUDIPU department of youth. Working with RAHU has expanded my professional networks and opportunities that

When I finished my high school in 2017, I had financial

have changed my life.

hardships that could not enable me continue with my University studies. This made me depressed, unhappy and hopeless and

As a young person with disability, I believe that when young

was not sure of what to do next. In order to start earning a

people, especially those with disabilities read this my story, it

living, I started making and selling jewelry to support my daily

can change the way they view and treat people with disabilities,

needs. When a started working with FLY through Reach A

and this story can help inspire other young people to always

hand Uganda, I realised that young people’s lives could also be

pursue their dreams, and am personally proud to have been

changed through making and selling jewelry.

apart of RAHU activities through the Peer Educator Academy.

This is because, I have gained useful networks and this has

I later shared my idea with the FLY community and after a while,

also exposed me to learn quite a lot about empowering young

I was informed that they would incorporate Jewelry as a way

people in my community.

of empowering young people through FLY. I was later informed by the FLY community that my idea had been accepted, and

Robert has a degree in development studies from Gulu

that I would lead on empowering young people in FLY through

University

making and selling Jewelry.

Our first show was held at Jakaranda in Rubaga division, and

Kempango Braton Braxy - Peer Educator 2018

many young people attended the show and got interested in my work, and many kids got interested in making jewellery. Later

B

they started asking me to train them on how to make jewelry.

empowering young people to stick to what they love doing

I believe that this story is important because all young people

and minus the usage of drugs including tobacco, Shisha,

who normally through the same situations. I advise young

Kuber. When I finished my A Level studies June of 2017. I

people to continuously discover their talents earlier in life so

saw a notification somewhere on the internet and so inquired

that they have enough time to develop them to benefit their

young people to fill in the PEA form, and was later notified

lives. I also hope that this story can inspire several other young

that I was selected to be part of the PEA class of 2018. The

people going through similar circumstances so that they can

training empowered us on Sexual and Reproductive Health and

also live better lives. Young people should learn that not being

rights. In June 2018, I started a course in journalism at Media

able to go to University is not the end of life. I hope to be a

Challenge Academy in Kansanga, kampala, and becoming a

Television presenter,and fashion designer

Later, more young people have asked me to train them in

efore I joined Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) under

making jewelry. That happened because I managed to convince

the FLY activities, I was making jewelry, but because

the FLY community to include jewelry as one of the ways of

of the love and passion to work with Young people, I

empowering young people especially those in schools.

become part of FLY in August 2017 which is a teen community

television presenter is partly my dream.

Looking to 2019. To the Big (ger) picture Through the RAHU Peer Educator Academy, I have involved in conducting peer learning sessions in school on SRHR topics. I have also met different people who have helped me learn more alot the SRH issues for young people. I have been engaged in FLY activities and through this, I have empowered young people to make jewelry as part of the FLY activities. I have trained my peers with skills and materials on how to make Jewelry so they can also earn a living. This has happened in over 70 schools around kampala. Additionally, I have been engaged in

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Plot 7502, Block 244, Heritage Village (Kitaranga) Kansanga, on Kansanga - Ggaba Road P.O. Box 21288 Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 697 037 Email: info@reachahand.org Web: www.reachahand.org