Health & Nutrition
Need

No one should have to worry about going to bed hungry, but food insecurity is a daily reality for women in Northern Uganda. We work with communities to address the cycle of poor health and poverty at its roots.

Our Response

African Women Rising supports families to access the food and financial resources they need to protect their health today while also investing in the health of future generations. Our graduation model is proven to increase the proportion of families that can afford three meals per day.

25,000+
Women Served
179%
Increase in households eating three meals a day

Impact

All our programs amplify each other, contributing in different but complementary ways to our goal of improving health and nutrition for families in Northern Uganda. 

‍Our program activities in regenerative agriculture, microfinance and education work together to help women grow more nutritious harvests and plan healthier futures. Read below to see the impact of our efforts.

Regenerative Agriculture
Our goal is to end hunger in the communities we work with through sustainable agriculture. Healthier soil means healthier food and healthier humans. We facilitate:
  • Greater diversity of crops grown and eaten
  • Reduced dependence on food aid
  • Increased resources to purchase meat or dairy products
  • Improved nutrient density and microbiome of the soil
UNITED NATIONS Sustainable Development Goals Addressed:
15,906
Participants in regenerative agriculture training
179%
Increase in refugee households eating three meals a day
73%
Of participants are food secure
2
Times per day that families eat from their permagardens
Grace, 40, Mother of Four
“Ever since I learned how to make a Permagarden, I have food all year round. I also earn money from the garden by selling the vegetables we don’t eat at the market. Since I have that regular weekly income now, it has become easier to save money. The first time we shared our savings I bought a goat. I have two now. They are my insurance for when life gets hard or if someone falls sick.”
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Adult and Girls Education
A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five than a child born to an illiterate woman. Each additional year of school for girls reduces their chances of contracting HIV by 6.7%.

Our Girls Education Program and Functional Adult Literacy Centers result in: 
  • Improved school attendance and performance for adolescent girls
  • Enhanced life skills and reproductive health knowledge
  • Community members empowered to solve health problems
  • Glasses and eye care for thousands of community members
UNITED NATIONS Sustainable Development Goals Addressed:
1,500+
Girls graduated primary school
7,000
Patients with eye diseases treated
15,761
Reusable sanitary pads distributed
30
New clean water sources
Mary, 12, 4th Grade
“I came to the refugee camp from South Sudan alone, but was able to find my sister who was already here. She is 15 and takes care of us. My favorite subject is science. I want to be a doctor because I want to be able to help other people.”
Microfinance and Savings
Our Microfinance Program helps households build financial security so that they can provide for the health of their families. Thousands of community members use AWR savings groups to access capital and healthcare, gaining:
  • Financial cushion so that an unexpected health expense is no longer devastating
  • Improved access to clean water, soap, and more nutritionally rich meals
  • Increased investment in regenerative agriculture for more nutritious vegetables
Of the women we trained in financial literacy in 2019, 70% can now afford to send all of their children to school and 98% can pay for healthcare.
UNITED NATIONS Sustainable Development Goals Addressed:
10,500
People served through 350 savings groups
8,925
Women trained in Financial Literacy
$1.8M
Savings Generated
Nancy, 40, Mother of Seven
“One of my children is disabled. It’s difficult to provide her with the support she needs. An important aspect of my AWR group is having access to loans. I am always able to pay for school fees. If we are sick, I can take the children to the doctor. When I have a bad day at home, I go to members of the group and talk with them. It always makes me feel better.”
Give Hope
African Women Rising serves as a catalyst for thousands of women and girls in Northern Uganda, giving them the support they need to live their lives with dignity.
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