At the beginning of this month, excitement rocked Gulu and Apac districts when a project, “NURTURING THE YOUNG TREES TO MAKE A THICK FOREST; Protecting And Empowering Children and Youth In Northern Uganda” was launched.
The project aims to promote peace, reintegration and the protection of children and youth affected by the prolonged conflict in Acholi and Lango sub-regions in Northern Uganda. It is implemented in partnership with three organizations namely: ACFODE, ANPPCAN and ACORD; coordinated by VSO with support from Comic Relief.
The overall objective of the launch was to officially introduce the project to the key stakeholders in the districts, and to also create a sense of ownership, and obtain their support in project implementation.
Both occasions were graced by the presence of district officials, CSO representatives, sub county officials, school children, community members/ elders, and youth among others. Their presence showed the kind of enthusiasm and support the people had about the project.
In Gulu, the project launch was officiated by Ojara Martin, the Chairman LC V Gulu district, while in Apac, the launch was officiated by Hon. Dorcas Otim – who is the Finance Secretary at the district council.
Many participants at the launches were happy about the project because it mainly targets children, and youth who form majority of the population in both districts.
Project publics include children/youth who have been, or are being abused, those at the risk of abuse, child mothers, and youth in need of livelihood support.
This is going to be done through; improved protection services and legal assistance to children and youth who have been affected by of abuse or are at the risk of abuse, provision of sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities to children and youth affected by conflict, through effective engagement of youth with duty bearers (local government, non state actors, and communities) for improved decision making and accountability, and through increased capacity of key actors to address the needs of conflict affected children and youth by facilitating policy development and implementation at all levels of governance.
During the launches, district officials pledged their support to ACFODE, ACORD, ANPPCAN-UGANDA, and to VSO during the time the project is going to be implemented in the region.In his remarks, Mr. Ojara Martin (LC V Chairperson Gulu) said that, “this is a unique partnership where four organizations have come together to achieve particular objectives that are set to benefit ordinary young people. We are very greatly and guarantee our full support. Count on us whenever you need help.”
Hon. Dorcas Otim also expressed her excitement about the project “that comes to empower youth and protect children; a vulnerable group that many times development programs neglect yet they constitute a big population that is key to the development of the district and the whole country.” She further noted that “the initiative of partnership is something that strengthens other stakeholders’ interventions” and also emphasized cooperation with all the stakeholders in the district. She too pledged the Apac distict support at all times.
Among the many activities organized for the launches were the marches, and entertainment from local cultural groups. The launches were used as networking spaces between the implementers, district officials, civil society representatives, project beneficiaries, and community members at large.
Submitted by Sandra Nassali
Public Relations & Communications Officer.
Action For Development
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