Founded in 2010, AWYAD began as a women-led Community-Based Organization (CBO) with a mission to support vulnerable women and youth who were grappling with the challenges of poverty, exploitation, and abuse due to marginalization and discrimination. The organization’s roots were planted in the slums of Kampala and Wakiso, where it initially focused on aiding vulnerable women affected by HIV, widows, young women in prostitution, out-of-school girls at risk of abuse, and youth trapped in cycles of poverty, drug, and alcohol abuse.

In its early days, AWYAD relied on the selfless contributions of its founders, who personally funded the organization’s activities. Volunteers played a crucial role, venturing into communities to identify and engage with vulnerable women and youth. These volunteers, built trust and relationships by speaking with individuals, inviting them to group meetings, and fostering a sense of community. Through these interactions, AWYAD formed groups that became the backbone of its grassroots empowerment efforts.

At the group level, AWYAD employed the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology, using tools such as the Vision Road Journey, Tree of Diamond Dreams, and the Challenge Action Tree to help participants reflect on their lives, confront challenges, and plan actions for positive change. Counseling sessions were provided, and participants were educated on their rights and responsibilities, as well as the obligations of duty bearers.

To promote economic independence, AWYAD encouraged group work by offering casual labor services like cleaning, washing, cooking, and working at construction sites. The income generated was used not only to meet basic needs but also to save in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) established by the organization. AWYAD trained participants in micro-business management, eventually linking them to microfinance institutions that provided additional financial literacy training and loans to expand their businesses. Today, many of these women and youth have become successful vendors in markets around Kampala and Wakiso.

Building on its success in Kampala and Wakiso, AWYAD expanded to Eastern Uganda in 2012, beginning work in the remote village of Siira in Mbale district. This community faced numerous challenges, including high rates of HIV, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, domestic violence, and illiteracy. Recognizing the critical need for education, AWYAD established a community Early Childhood Development (ECD) center, which later evolved into a community school providing both early childhood and primary education. This initiative also included promoting adult literacy, marking the beginning of AWYAD’s education programming. Over the years, the school has continued to operate, significantly improving literacy rates and ensuring that all children in the community have access to education.

AWYAD’s success in Mbale led to further expansion into the neighboring districts of Budada and Manafwa, as well as into Busoga in Kamuli district and Karamoja in Napak and Kotido districts in 2013. These interventions mirrored the approach taken in Mbale, focusing on gender empowerment, education, and addressing the specific challenges of each community.

In 2014, AWYAD extended its work to Pader district, implementing similar interventions among returnees in Pader town council, Ogom, and Lokole sub-counties. By 2016, the organization had moved into Lamwo district’s Lukung sub-county, where it encountered South Sudanese refugees who had fled conflict and were living without adequate support. AWYAD took immediate action, advocating for the rights of these refugees and initiating a campaign that eventually led to the establishment of a refugee settlement in Lamwo district. This marked the beginning of AWYAD’s humanitarian work, supported by funding from Oxfam Uganda.

As AWYAD’s influence grew, so did the need for formal recognition and expansion. In March 2016, the organization was legally registered by the Uganda NGO Bureau as a National NGO, granting it the mandate to operate across the entire country.

AWYAD’s humanitarian efforts continued to expand, reaching Western Uganda in 2018, starting in Kyegegwa district, and further extending to Kamwenge district in 2020 and other areas. In 2021, the organization expanded to the West Nile region, beginning in Obongi district and later moving into Moyo and Arua districts.

AWYAD’s journey from a small, grassroots CBO to a prominent National NGO is a testament to its unwavering commitment to addressing inequality and violence against women, youth, and children across Uganda. The organization’s growth reflects its ability to adapt, innovate, and respond to the evolving needs of the communities it serves. As AWYAD continues to expand its reach, its goal remains clear to be present in every corner of Uganda, advocating for the rights of the most vulnerable and driving lasting change in the fight against poverty, exploitation, and abuse.

With more than a decade of impactful work behind us, AWYAD is poised to continue growing and making a difference, ensuring that no woman, youth, or child is left behind in the pursuit of equality and justice.