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2023PROGRAM REPORTGULUTHRIVE

Our VisionOur vision for northern Uganda is one in which all people are treated withdignity, live in safety, and have a chance to contribute to the good of thecommunity.Our MissionTHRIVEGulu assists communities in post-conflict northern Uganda to healfrom the traumatic effects of war, sexual exploitation, extreme poverty,and the resulting loss of opportunities.Our BeliefsWe believe that meaningful existence is more than mere survival. We believe the invisible wounds of psychological trauma deservehealing. And, we believe that functionality and productivity can only flourishwhen an individual and her community are more-than-surviving.Our PeopleAs an organization primarily serving women and youth, THRIVE is proud tohave women-led operations in Gulu, topped with our Director of 10 years, AlalSingle Dora. A professional counselor and highly experienced trauma-recovery specialist, she leads a team of thirty professional counselors; gender-based violence, literacy, finance, and empowerment specialists; andadministrative support staff—all native Ugandans. Three of our five seniormanagers are women.Our international affiliate is also headed by women, including our ExecutiveDirector, the Chair of the Board of Directors, and the Operations &Development Director. Mah-Séré Keita became Executive Director in January2023 after serving on the US Board of Directors for several years. Séré hasmore than 20 years of experience as a global public health professional, andlives in Mali. Alal Single Dora Mah-Séré Keita

Gender-basedviolence and teenagepregnancies areprevalent with morethan 1 million womenexposed to sexualviolence every year.Northern Ugandahas one of thehighest levels ofpost-traumaticstress disorder inthe world (54%) dueto 20-year conflict.The Acholi sub-regionin northern Ugandahas the highestpoverty rate in thecountry with 67.7% ofthe population livingin poverty.Enrollment in highschool in Acholi is only7%, (lower than nat'laverage of 29%), andmore than 40% ofyouth are not engagedin productive activity. Uganda hosts the 3rdlargest population of refugees in theworld, hosting morethan 1.5 millionrefugees and asylum-seekers. Mental Health &Psychosocial Support Individual & CommunityEmpowermentHumanitarian Response& InterventionLiteracyProvided MHPSS to nearly 9,000individuals, including counselingand psychoeducationSupported 189 Village Savings &Loans Associations, helping6,346 individuals access capitalAided 848 survivors of gender-based violence with logistical,medical, and psychological supportTrained over 3,000 young womenand men on financial empowermentand business skillsEnabled 197 teens to return toschool & provided psychosocialsupport training to 222 teachers Taught 496 girls in secondaryschools to make reusable menstrualpads & gave them hygeine kitsThe ChallengesOur ProgramsAwareness education &stigma reductionGroup, family, & individualcounselingMobile mental healthoutreach clinicsCall-in radio programsTeletherapySchool-based psycho-educationCommunity-based laycounselor training & supportBasic literacy in bothEnglish and AcholiCreated new literacymanual to target youthwho were out of schoolWomen's Library &Resource Center at ourGulu location in 2024 Creating a new multi-generational manual tobring the power of booksto the families we serveMHPSS services to therefugees and theUgandans who reside inthe host communityGirlShine curriculum withyoung women and childmothers to educate aboutpersonal empowermentFinancial Literacy targetedto refugee women &youthVillage Savings & LoanAssociationsBusiness success educationDemocratic governance andleadership trainingYouth skills programmingGender equality advocacyGender-Based ViolenceresponseSupport re-enrolling in formaleducation2023 Statistics 3

EDUCATION SUPPORTCounseling & Education ProgramsSupporting education requires addressing many different factors, from individual action tocommunity engagement. Teen parents need school fees, supplies, child care, and emotionalsupport. All adolescents need reproductive health education, and girls need menstrual healthmaterials. Teachers need mental health training—to understand how to care for their ownmental health as well as the mental health of their students. And all community members needto believe in the power of education to enable theircommunities to grow and THRIVE.4COUNSELING (MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT)THRIVEGulu is, at heart, a trauma-recoveryorganization, so all of our projects have acomponent of Mental Health support. In2023, these projects provided the bulk ofour Counseling and Psychoeducationprogram, directly reaching nearly 9,000individuals in their homes, schools, andcommunities, and on the phone.Our innovative Dance+Therapy Program,begun in 2021 in the Palabek RefugeeSettlement, has shown to be highly effective inreducing instances of depression, anxiety, andsuicidal thought among young people. With anew collaboration in 2024, we plan to expandthe program to reach at least 1,000 morebeneficiaries through 2025.

Literacy is vital to economic opportunity andindividual autonomy, so THRIVE has beenproviding literacy programs within itsempowerment groups for ten years. Over thistime, we have had hundreds of adults gain basicliteracy in both English and Acholi. A few yearsago, we had a group of young people helpdevelop and produce a new literacy manual totarget youth who were out of school. This year, we will open the doors to a newLibrary & Resource Center to bring books,access to information, and a gathering place forlearning to the families we serve. This is anexciting investment in our Trauma Healing andRecovery Center, fully realizing the dream of adestination for healing and empowerment for thewomen of Gulu.INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTWOMEN’S LIBRARY & RESOURCE CENTER5Key Achievements in 2023In 2023, THRIVE attended three international conferences. Program Officer Stella traveled toNepal to participate in a peer-to peer learning program organized by Comic Relief and ImpactConsulting, to represent our Dance+Therapy program. MEAL Officer Denis journeyed to Ghanato the USAID/Youth Excel Youth Engagement Summit—he delivered two presentations on“Youth Mental Health using Dance+Therapy mental health innovation” and “Competitive grantmaking for youth-led and youth serving organizations.” Director Dora, Senior EmpowermentManager Brenda, and US Operations/Development Director Anita met in Rwanda for WomenDeliver 2023, one of the world’s largest multi-sectoral convenings to advance gender equality.

Where We Work:AMURUNWOYAGULUOMOROUGANDAFormal Education Support:Becoming a parent as a teenagertoo often results in dropping out ofschool. We support young moms &dads by paying school fees, runningsupport groups, and encouragingthem to finish primary school.Mental Health Outreaches:In collaboration with governmenthealth workers, we bring mental-health and other health services tothe community, including mentalhealth medications, HPV & othervaccinations, and cervical-cancer,malaria, & HIV screening.VSLAs and Financial Literacy:In areas where access to capital isdifficult, if not impossible for mostpeople, Village Savings & LoansAssociations provide a way for ourEmpowerment Groups to pool theirresources, invest in themselves, andhold each other accountable. Disability Inclusion:In collaboration with the DisabledPerson Union, we support people withdisabilities with assistive devices andhelp them attend school andcommunity events, access GBVservices, and participate in THRIVEEmpowerment Group activities.THRIVEGulu officesTHRIVEGulu Trauma Healingand Recovery Center6

LAMWOKampalaKITGUMPADERAGAGOMale Engagement:For women and girls attain their equalplace in society, and to prevent GBV,men need support to understand theirroles in the process. We use a 3-pronged approach: men and boys arepartners to women, are agents ofchange, and are clients themselves.Dance+Therapy:When dancing is an integral part ofyour culture, it makes sense to usedance as a tool for trauma recovery.Our innovative approach combinestraditional counseling programs withdance movement as a healingmechanism. The results are amazing. Ending GBV/VAWG:In addition to our GBV-preventionprograms, when violence against awoman or girl takes place, THRIVEsupports her and her family withassistance accessing medicaltreatment, support with reporting topolice, and trauma counseling.Acholi Region DistrictsGirl Shine:To empower girls from South Sudanand Uganda, we use the Girl Shinegirl-driven program. The 8 months ofweekly sessions teach safety, health& hygiene, trust, social & emotionalskills, solidarity, and the power ofgirls working together.7

Empowerment ProgramsVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLSProjectGBV survivorsreached (F/M)People reached w/GBV messagesWAYREP110/11049UNTF725/122871Total835/133920Addressing the challenge of gender-based violence(GBV) isn't simple, so THRIVE approaches it from severaldirections—seeking to both prevent and respond toincidents. In 2023, we supported 848 survivors ofviolence to receive medical treatment & coordinate withpolice, and we provide counseling to her & her family. 8In 2023, we decided to expand the program. Economicindependence is important in reducing the girls’ vulnerabilityto exploitation, so we added additional sessions. Togetherwith the girls, we created a new Financial Literacy manualand brought 308 girls to the next level of independence—business acumen and income generation. FINANCIAL EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT: GIRL SHINE 2.0We facilitate Zero-Tolerance Village Alliances,believing that the engagement of the entirecommunity in the prevention of VAWG reduces thenumber of VAWG incidents, lessens the stigma forVAWG survivors, and increase awareness of where toseek assistance. At left, ZTVA members learn aboutchallenges survivors face in trying to access services.“Her Voice in Public and on Air.” Through six radiodialogues, women’s and girls’ voices were amplifiedin public spaces, reaching more than 600 people inperson (and many more over the airways). Theyspoke about their personal experiences, creatingconnections with each other—and educating theircommunities about GBV resources and services.The six months of learning sessions in the Girl Shine program help to equip adolescent girls withkey skills to prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV. Through the groups, girls learn aboutnegotiation and decision-making, while also accessing essential information on adolescentsexual and reproductive health. The groups provide opportunity for girls to voice what isimportant to them, explore their strengths and opportunities, and develop their leadership skills.

EconomicEmpowermentTOTALVSLAGroupsYouthGroupsAdultGroupsMixedGroupsTotalBeneficiaries M F THRIVE MOTHER 441133026575852072UNTF10 00103910391WAYREP1103575026934052288ZOA-SGF250025688179509Project Redwood1010003080308Grand Total1995610835673711695568INCOME GENERATION & BUILDING RESILIENCEKey Achievements in 2023The foundation of our empowerment program isfacilitating Community-Based Empowerment Groups.After training in group dynamics, each group decideshow they want to lead, and THRIVEGulu facilitates.The groups provide structure for saving and lending(VSLAs), developing business plans for incomegeneration & micro-businesses, literacy education,group counseling, and more!9While THRIVEGulu has provided facilitation of income-generatingactivities through its VSLAs for more than 10 years, we recently havejoined a project that focuses on skill-building and improving thepersonal and economic resilience of women and youth. Along withspecific vocational training (below are young women working toestablish tailoring businesses and young men who have justreceived their mechanics kits), beneficiaries receive othereducational opportunities—functional literacy, financial literacy, digital record-keeping, business management—as well as cashtransfers for them to invest in their basic needs and their businesses.

6FinancialHealthMentalHealthIndividualSpiritualHealthSocialHealthReproductiveHealthOur “5 to Thrive Model”Because an individualcannot THRIVE when anyone element of her healthis lacking, THRIVEGuluuses this holistic model oftrauma healing.Our Approach: Nothing About Us Without UsOur programs are developedbased on observed needand feedback from ourbeneficiaries.We engage focus groups to participate in developing allour manuals.Our Empowerment Groupsare trained in democraticgovernance.In the early stages of everyprogram, and then throughregular feedback meetings, weengage with:local tribal leaderslocal and nationalgovernment officials development partnersthe communities where theprograms take place, and our donor communityIASC MHPSS guidelines The SPHERE standards forHumanitarian operationsIASC GBV guidelinesPHQ-9, GAD-7, WGQ, &DSM-XC, screeningquestionnairesUgandan nationalcompetency frameworksOur LocationsOur main office, the Trauma Healing and Recovery Center, is located in the Layibi-BardegeDivision of Gulu City, Uganda. The heart of our operation, our administrative staff are here,and it is a home base for all of our field staff. We run dozens of THRIVEGulu EmpowermentGroups (with VSLAs) and much of our work in schools from this office. We have permanentoffices, an Engagement Center, a restorative gazebo, and a nearly completed Women'sLibrary & Resource Center.Our second office is located in Palabek Kal in Lamwo District. We run all of our localoperations in the Palabek Refugee Settlement from here, including Girl Shine,Dance+Therapy, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention & Response.Our third office is located in Odek sub-county of Omoro District. We run all of our localoperations in the Omoro District from here, including Dance+Therapy, Re-enrollment toFormal Schooling for teenage mothers, VSLAs, and GBV Prevention & Response.Our THRIVERS take thelead, share their needs,and we facilitate:We forge partnerships andencourage communicationwith entire communities:Our work is guided bystandard global guidelinesand tools, including:10

3Our Funding Since 2019PartnerPeriodFocusLocationsMain DonorJoseph & Kathleen SorensonLegacy FoundationSorenson Legacy Foundaiton2010 topresentHolistic Programme and the Trauma Healing CenterLayibi Division in Gulu CityOdek Subcounty in OmoroDistrictPrivateFoundation(US)THRIVEGulu, US2010 topresentHolistic Programme, the TraumaHealing Center, and the Library &Resource CenterLayibi Division in Gulu CityIndividualDonorsComic ReliefNov 2020-Nov 2024Sports for Mental Health:Dance+Therapy to reduce Depression,Anxiety, Stress, and Suicidal Thoughtsamong Youth and Adults.Odek SubcountyLayibi-Bardege Division inGulu CityPalabek SettlementComic Relief(UK)Street Child UgandaJul 2023-Jun 2024Sustained Education through ImprovedPsychological Health and disabilityinclusionPalabek SettlementEducationCannot Wait;Save theChildren UgandaUN Trust Fund to End Violenceagainst WomenMay 2021-May 2024Access to MHPSSand Empowermentsupport services for survivor of VAW/G Odek SubcountyPalabek SettlementLamwo DistrictUnited Nations,through UN WomenZOA Small Grants FundDec 2023-Apr 2024Supporting refugees through directgrants and financial training.Palabek SettlementStichting ZOA(Netherlands)Project Redwood, StanfordBusiness SchoolApr 2023-Mar 2024Helping Girls Shine through FinancialLiteracy and Business SuccessPalabek SettlementLamwo DistrictTIDESFoundation(US)CARE Uganda Country OfficeCARE InternationalAug 2022-Mar 2024Women and Youth and Resilienceproject-WAYREPGulu CityAustriaDevelopmentAgencySave the ChildrenInternationalJan 2019-Dec 2023Psychological & Emotional Support toSchool Children and Teenage Mothers& Fathers in 52 Primary schoolsPabbo-Amuru & Odek inOmoro DistrictAwach in Gulu DistrictPurungo & Lungulu inNwoya DistrictNorad(Norway)AstraZeneca - Step Up! YoungHealth ProgramJan 2023-Dec 2023Forging Partnerships Between Formaland Informal Health Workers toAddress MHPSS Risk Factors in YouthOdek SubcountyAstraZeneca(UK)International Research andExchanges Board, Inc. (IREX)-Youth ExcelJan 2022-Sep 2022Strengthen MHPSS for Marginalizedand Vulnerable Youth in Eastern andSouthern AfricaOdek SubcountyLayibi-Bardege Division inGulu CityUSAID(US)TrocaireNov 2018-Dec 2021MHPSS to South Sudanese Refugeesand Host CommunitiesPalabek SettlementOgili & Gem subcounties inLamwo DistrictIrish Aid (Ireland)Projects Beginning in 2024:Women’s Voice and Leadershipwith CARE International & CARECanada, funded by the Pathy FamilyFoundationGender Equality & ResilienceProject with CARE International &CARE Austria, funded by theAustrian Development AgencyStrengthening Adolescent andYouth Sexual ReproductiveHealth with CARE, Marie StopesUganda, Naguru Teenage Centre,and UNFPACreating Hope amongst SouthSudanese Refugees throughDance+Therapy; a Mental HealthInnovation11

www.thrivegulu.orgT H R I V E GULUS U R V I V O R T H R I V E Rfrom to