Community Empowerment Programs in Northern Uganda
An integrated, community-driven approach that has been working for 15 years
CEFARH Foundation Uganda was born in 2010 from a shared dream of a group of Ugandan medical students: to build a better future.
Today we operate in 4 districts of Northern Uganda — Lira, Abim, Kole and Pader — with an integrated approach adopted 15 years ago.
3 Interconnected Youth Empowerment Programs
Education
Inclusive, play-based learning that builds skills and emotional well-being.
Explore our education program
Health
Mobile health services, reproductive rights, mental health care. Where the system doesn’t reach.
Explore our health program
Economic empowerment
Vocational training, microcredit, sustainable farming. Real tools for real income.
Explore our economic programVision
A just and inclusive society where the dignity and voices of those who are not heard are supported and recognized by all.
Mission
To create opportunities that allow young women, people with disabilities and children to take control of their bodies and their lives, enjoy their rights and improve the quality of their existence in order to reach their full potential.
Why Cefarh?
We are not the only youth empowerment organization in Northern Uganda.
Here is what makes us different.
Local roots, not outside presence
CEFARH was founded by people from the communities it serves. Programs are not designed elsewhere and imposed from above — they grow from a direct understanding of the communities, their rhythms and their priorities. This makes interventions more effective and relationships with people more grounded.
Independence as a goal, not assistance as an end
Every program is built to reduce dependency, not to increase it. The aim is for each person to gain the tools, skills and confidence to act on their own. Outside support is a starting point, not a destination.
An integrated model, not isolated interventions
Few organizations in the region systematically combine mobile health, inclusive education and vocational training. This approach allows us to address the structural causes of marginalization, not just the symptoms.
Transparent governance built on equality
70% of the board of directors is made up of women. The organization operates with clear principles of accountability, equity and merit. All financial reports are public.
Excellence recognized across the region
CEFARH is known throughout Northern Uganda for the quality of its vocational training programs and for the Thriving Through Play project — an innovative approach to children’s emotional and mental well-being that has reached 43 schools.
Comparisons
| CEFARH | Large International NGOs | Small Local NGOs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded by Ugandans | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Integrated approach | ✓ | ~ | ✗ |
| 90% to programs | ✓ | ✗ | (75%) ~ |
| Independent audit | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| 15 years of experience | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| Public reports | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
✓ = Yes | ~ = Partial | ✗ = No
What we have built,
district by district
Health
women reached with mobile health services and cancer screenings across 4 districts
people with access to mental health awareness services
Education
young people on a path to reintegration after dropping out of school
sponsored students (334 in primary and early childhood, 130 in secondary)
schools with the Learning Through Play program active
Economic empowerment
young people with certified vocational training
vocational institute built — the Alessandra Technical and Vocational Institute
who we are
The people of CEFARH
CEFARH is led by Ogwang Simon, Executive Director, with a board of directors in which 70% of members are women.
The field team operates in the districts of Lira, Abim and Kole.
