Friends of UPLIFT was established in the fall of 2012. We take the name literally – in ‘friends’ there is an understanding that this is a cause close to our hearts.

Welcome to UPLIFT

Our goal

Our goal as “Friends of UPLIFT” is clear and long-term. To help rural villagers in one of the poorest regions of Uganda. We do this by supporting the Ugandan grassroots organization “UPLIFT West Nile”. The cornerstone of personal development and empowerment is being able to read and write. Knowledge about women’s health also enables women live healthier and take responsibility for their own lives, for the benefit of themselves, their families and communities. Our goal is to contribute to a society where villagers have access to education, have knowledge about their own body and health and have greater control over their own lives and future.
Our commitment is based on volunteerism, humanity and the vision “The earth is but one country and humanity its inhabitants”.
We invite you to join our community, with moral and, if possible, financial support for this important mission on behalf of many women in Uganda.

Since its humble beginnings in 2001, 30,000 adults in one of Uganda’s poorest and most illiterate ‘corners’ have learned to read and write.

“If a mother can read,

her child is

50% more likely to live to see their fifth birthday.”

UNICEF

Latest news

The purpose of this website is to share our values, our stories and our progress. We will keep you updated on the latest events and news from Friends of UPLIFT and UPLIFT West Nile in Uganda.

You can also browse through member letters back to 2012 to get a fuller picture of this exciting initiative.

Florence, John and Mark, UPLIFT Graduation 2023

John Charles Onyuthi in memoriam

Three days ago, John Charles died, aged just 44, after a sudden and brief illness.

It came as a shock to the entire UPLIFT family in West Nile. Everyone knew John, including thousands of villagers he did not know but who had seen and heard him in action at the many annual “UPLIFT Graduation Ceremonies”.

Direct Relief_shipment safe birth kits2

Rings in the water – Collaboration and Synergy

UPLIFT West Nile collaborates with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU). Local midwives help with capacity building on sexual and reproductive health and rights, integrated in UPLIFT’s adult literacy programme.

FOCUS additional grant!

In the midst of the world’s misery, where even we in the periphery are bombarded daily – by world news in real time – we mustn’t forget the bright spots and the hope to once again steer the ship back on track.

2024_05_UWN grad ceremony

Annual graduation and empowerment event

As usual, UPLIFT West Nile arranged its Annual Graduation and Empowerment event. This event is a time of celebration for literacy students that have successfully completed their one-year training program and passed the government literacy exam.

Fokus seminar i Kampala

UPLIFT attends FOKUS seminar in Kampala

UPLIFT attends FOKUS seminar in Kampala Representatives from UPLIFT West Nile (Project Coordinator Mark Ssemukasa and Accountant Imelda Kanyesige), as well as a representative from Friends of UPLIFT (General Manager Michael P. Vitols) attended a seminar on April 23 hosted by Fokus in Kampala, Uganda.

UPLIFT Women in West Nile

Having entered year # 2 ! A week from now, the big UPLIFT family will gather for the annual Graduation Ceremony – the highlight of the year. Little more than a year ago, Friends of UPLIFT received the message from FOKUS that Norad had accepted our application for...

UPLIFT and the UN Global Goals

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030) are a framework for creating a better future for the world. A key goal in the fight against poverty is to increase the proportion of the world’s population that can read and write.

UPLIFT West Nile is a grassroots organization based in the West Nile region. Since 2001, UPLIFT (Uganda Programme of Literacy for Transformation) has been working towards this goal. To date, more than 30,000 adults have been trained to read and write in their mother tongue.

Two equally important sustainability goals are women’s equality with men and applied knowledge of good health. In addition to the main goal of combating poverty, these three goals are the pillars of UPLIFT’s work.

UPLIFT has friends in Norway

“Friends of UPLIFT” (VUP) is a Norwegian organization that supports UPLIFT West Nile in Uganda. We who are part of VUP have been inspired by the work carried out by UPLIFT. Particularly important is the principle of volunteerism, which permeates everything UPLIFT does. We are grateful to be able to help where we can – morally, financially and assisting in organizational development.

From 2023, this includes UPLIFT West Nile’s new project: “Women’s Health Education” for both adult women and younger girls. For five years until 2028, UPLIFT West Nile will train 4,000 women and 1,200 girls each year. In addition, men and young males can also attend activities. Courses combine literacy training with capacity building about women’s sexual and reproductive health rights. The girls receive important information about sexuality, the female body, etc. They are also offered vaccination against cervical cancer. 

Help for self-help

Gift card or commemorative gift

A gift for growth!
You decide how much to contribute.

Would you like to support this cause

Donations to UPLIFT’s work are greatly appreciated. In Norway, contributions can be sent directly to VUP’s bank account 6188 05 39107 IBAN: NO5061880539107 – either as a one-off contribution or regularly by online banking. You can also donate using VIPPS, PayPal or credit card.

You can also support Friends of UPLIFT by informing and inviting others to help out. VUP has made it easy to participate.

Get in touch - become a supporting member!

In return, you get to follow a development program that enables the beneficiaries to lift themselves out of poverty.
VUP keeps you informed through member newsletters and other means.

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