Impact · Nakivale, Uganda · 2017 — present
YAREN is building the knowledge, skills, and resources people need to shape dignified, self-reliant futures in their own communities.
Our impact
In 2017, YAREN Organisation began as a small initiative led by refugees determined to create change within their own communities. What started with simple community actions in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement has grown into a movement that empowers refugees and vulnerable communities through education, entrepreneurship, health, and humanitarian support.
Years of work
People reached
Women & mothers trained
Adolescent mothers in livelihoods
The work in motion
2017 · Nakivale
YAREN began with a simple conviction: communities closest to a challenge should help lead its solution. Early work focused on the urgent needs of refugees, women, young people, children, and vulnerable families.
Health awareness, school materials, mentorship, English classes, youth forums, and peacebuilding dialogues created practical routes toward confidence and participation.
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Health · Protection
More than 200 women and adolescent mothers received training in reproductive health, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and personal wellbeing.
The work gave participants knowledge they could use immediately, while creating safer conversations around early marriage, sexual health, and the choices available to young women.
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2020 · Crisis response
When COVID-19 threatened communities already facing displacement and uncertainty, YAREN worked alongside humanitarian partners to distribute hygiene supplies, protective equipment, and menstrual health products.
The response also included community-based mental health and trauma-healing sessions for youth leaders and vulnerable groups.
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Ongoing · Water and sanitation
Safe water remains one of the greatest challenges facing refugee populations. YAREN distributed Sawyer water filters to schools, health facilities, and community institutions to reduce the risk of waterborne disease.
Community research and water dialogues shaped awareness campaigns, soap distribution, medical hygiene support, and community-led solutions.
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Livelihoods · Skills
YAREN’s livelihoods work connects technical training with confidence, enterprise, and the ability to support a family. Liquid soap production was one early pathway into small business.
Targeted programmes for adolescent mothers aged 13–17 included tailoring, garment production, handicrafts, English, reproductive health education, and psychosocial support. 223 adolescent mothers gained valuable skills.
Read moreBuilding for the future
Photography, filmmaking, storytelling, community libraries, and learning programmes have helped more than 7,500 people build skills and share their experiences.
Women, young people, local leaders, and policymakers come together through forums and dialogues that turn lived experience into lasting solutions.
Operational offices, partnerships, governance, and accountability systems help YAREN sustain community-owned work as it grows.
The journey continues