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P R O F I L EDuring a campaign lasting more than twenty years, Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army abductedover 60,000 children in northern Uganda to serve as child soldiers and brides. More than 2 million civilianswere forced to flee their homes, living in the squalor and instability of Internally Displaced Persons camps,some for more than a decade. More than 100,000 people were killed. The LRA left behind a societypsychologically traumatized by war, poverty, lack of education, sexual violence, and hopelessness.In 2010, THRIVEGulu gave birth to the region’s only trauma recovery center. Our founder, Professor EmeritaJudy Dushku of Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, visited with women survivors from Gulu,who shared their dream to have a safe space to gather, support one another, and begin to recoverindividually and collectively from trauma.From an original vision to build a community of strength, hope and healing has grown an organizationinternationally recognized as a leader in innovative, holistic psychosocial interventions and individual andcommunity empowerment. We now operate in five districts—reaching Ugandans of all ages and refugeesfrom South Sudan, including women who have suffered from gender-based violence. We have grown from ahandful of staff to more than 30, while firmly remaining a local, indigenous organization. Thirteen years later, our commitment remains twofold: Go to the most marginalized places and war-affectedpeoples, and work with individuals and communities as partners. From survivors to THRIVERS, wetriumphantly proclaim:“Together We THRIVE!”

Our VisionOur vision for northern Uganda is one in which all people are treated with dignity,live in safety, and have a chance to contribute to the good of the community.Our MissionTHRIVEGulu assists communities in post-conflict northern Uganda to heal fromthe traumatic effects of war, sexual exploitation, extreme poverty, and theresulting loss of opportunities.Our BeliefsWe believe that meaningful existence is more than mere survival. We believe the invisible wounds of psychological trauma deserve healing. And, we believe that functionality and productivity can only flourish when anindividual and her community are more-than-surviving.Our PeopleTHRIVE is proud to have women-led operations in Gulu, topped with our Directorof 10 years, Alal Single Dora. A professional counselor and highly experiencedtrauma-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. Mah-Séré Keita becameExecutive Director in January 2023 after serving on the US Board of Directorsfor several years. Séré has more than 20 years of experience as a global publichealth professional, and lives in Mali. Our Operations & Development Director,Anita Stetson, has been with THRIVE since 2016, and is based in the US. Alal Single DoraMah-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& InterventionLiteracyThe ProblemsOur 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 schoolBuilding a new Women'sLibrary & ResourceCenter in Gulu 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 formaleducation2022 Results Provided counseling services tomore than 5,000 individualsSupported 187 Village Savings &Loans AssociationsReached 6,749 GBV survivorsand beneficiaries via directsupport and messagingEstablished 44 newempowerment groupsEnabled 285 teens to return toschool & 72 teachers receivedpsychosocial support trainingConducted 7 integrated mentalhealth mobile clinics

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 Center

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. GBV/VAWG:Violence against women & girls willnot stop if we only work with women& girls. Men, especially communityleaders, must take Village Allianceprogram, each community standstogether to eliminate gender-basedviolence and support survivors.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.

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.local tribal leaderslocal and nationalgovernment officials development partnersthe communities where theprograms take place, and our donor communityIn the early stages of everyprogram, and then throughregular feedback meetings, weengage with:IASC 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 will soon break ground on a newWomen's Library & 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:

Our Funding Partnersinfo@thrivegulu.orgwww.thrivegulu.orgConnect with UsResourcing Our Vision

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