African Women Rising

Marching into the weekend. Gulu marching band practicing for the holiday season. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

AWR’s Field Crop program is working together with farmers to increase yields and build resilience. Climate change is making it harder to farm as weather patterns are becoming irregular. Our regenerative approach builds agroecological skills and an understanding of key soil and water principles. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

Christine received banana plants from AWR a few years back and training on how to care for and multiply them. Now she has a small banana plantation and can send her children to school. The combination of access to micro finance, skills training, assets and education is changing women’s life and breaking the cycle of poverty. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

I want to learn so that my children can see that I think education is important, no matter how old you are. I want to encourage them to stay in school just like me. AWR gave me the glasses. Now it’s easy to see the blackboard. Rose, 49 years old, first year student at AWR’s adult literacy center. Thank you Occhiali Fine Eyewear for providing glasses to thousands of people. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

How is it Friday already?? These weeks go by so quickly. Hope your weekend is lovely. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

Driving on the roads of rural Uganda is a treat and sometimes a bit nerve-racking. You always have to be attentive and present. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

Less than 60% of the adult population in Uganda can adequately read and write. Yet, literacy is a human right and a key to lifelong success and dignity. It’s a catalyst for people’s ability to vote, advocate for change and fully participate in society. AWR is bringing literacy to rural communities in Uganda creating the foundation for change. In the last general election 59 students ran for public office. 37 won! That is how you create change in the world. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

We all need a helping hand at times. African Women Rising serves as a catalyst for thousands of women in Northern Uganda, giving them the support they need to live their lives with dignity. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

There are so many young girls with dreams. We have the power to make these dreams come true. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

This coming weekend is usually when we host Music in the Garden. One of my favorite events. Alas, this year it's not happening. Being alone in the garden is not... as fun. Hoping to see you all next year xo If you want to support our work please visit https://www.africanwomenrising.org/donate-today/

Music in the Garden - You can still dance with us! - https://mailchi.mp//music-in-the-garden-you-can-still-danc An update on this year's event and exciting news for next year.

Do you need that special holiday gift to someone who already has everything they need? $55 will provide 5 girls with a kit of reusable sanitary pads, underwear and soap, making it possible for them to attend school regularly. $100 buys a bicycle for a mentor in the Girls Education program. When our mentors have bicycles it becomes easier for them to do home visits and make sure that all girls attend school on a daily basis. Make a donation before December 20 and we will send a beautiful handwritten letter in time for the holidays. Photos by Brian Hodges

Kaibae Supports AWR for Giving Tuesday - https://mailchi.mp/80/helpfamiliesbuildpermagardens-3587208

https://www.facebook.com/donate/195533102055675/ This has been a year of uncertainty. Our work has faced significant challenges in meeting the unexpected demands of COVID-19. We have expanded services to provide our communities with the basic tools needed to be able to protect themselves against the pandemic. At the same time, we continue to offer the women and girls in our programs the support that help them grow stronger and more resilient to weather a crisis such as this. I hope you will join us.

Emmanuel is 4 years old and a refugee from South Sudan. He made the car himself (with a little help) and like to play with it very much. It's the only toy he owns. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography

I’m a student at the FAL center. I want to learn. I only completed part of 1st grade. We couldn't go to school because of the war. People were forced to live in camps for internally displaced people, and many didn't have an income because we couldn't farm. My parents couldn't afford to buy exercise books. I understand the value of education. I don't expect to reach a high level, but at least I want to know how to read and write. My hope is to continue after this. Maybe there... is another school I can go to. I’m here at the FAL center because I’m looking at my future. There are mostly women here. The few men are examples to other men. Hopefully we can make even more participate. Some of the men in our community have a negative attitude. They think it is a waste of time. That's not how I see it. I think of it as an investment in the future. All my children are in school. Three are still too young, but they will go as well. Life is good now, because we have peace. I can farm and have an income and provide for my family. Walter, 31 years old. Father of five children. Due to Covid-19 all 43 literacy centers run by AWR are closed. Our hope is we can reopen early next year, though at this point it is still uncertain. Our fundraising has suffered due to the pandemic, and we are forced to take some hard decisions in terms of what programs can continue. Literacy is a human right and key to lifelong success and dignity. It is a trigger to people’s ability to vote, advocate for change and fully participate in society. Photo by Brian Hodges Photography