Brenda embodies the individual empowerment she tries to instill in others. A graduate of Gulu University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Brenda has also recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Uganda Management Institute. Throughout her career, has also had training in Gender-Based Violence – accordingly, the empowerment of women has become an area of specialization for her, so that women have both the financial and psychosocial means to stand strong. Before coming to THRIVE, Brenda put her skills to work with the Christian Counseling Fellowship, Action Against Hunger and Caritas. Brenda shares, “My education background and work experience have prepared me well to work hands-on with the community, understanding the dynamics of the different people and how to use their natural strengths to achieve the desired result.”
In her role as THRIVEGulu’s Senior Empowerment Manager, Brenda is the key spokesperson for THRIVE’s unique empowerment model: “One most important things about THRIVE’s work is that THRIVEGulu does not spoon-feed vulnerable persons. Instead, THRIVE prepares individuals to work their way out of vulnerability. THRIVE staff work together to heal the scars of trauma, cleansing troubled minds so that the people we serve can focus on what little resources they have to rise out of poverty. I have learned that community members have problems, but all the solutions exist within the same community – it’s just a matter of re-awakening them, opening their eyes to see and tickling them to act. THRIVEGulu’s goal is to provide the tools to help others achieve self-reliance and sustain themselves forever.”
Brenda sees THRIVEGulu as an extended family: “I love the team spirit built within the staff. I also value the good relationships between the staff in Gulu and the top people of the organization all the way in the USA. At THRIVEGulu, no one is small, or too big – we come together to co-exist; we are a FAMILY! This is so nice and so very unique!”
