Dear friend of THRIVEGulu,
As we enter the season of holidays, including American Thanksgiving, I wanted to express my own thanks to you for your support of THRIVEGulu over the past two years. The year 2021 has been a challenging one, much like 2020 was. But our programs have helped so many people face these challenges, and for this, we are thankful!
When the schools were closed—for 9 months—the children suffered. While this was true in many parts of the world, here in Northern Uganda children suffered tremendously. Not only were they not getting any education at all, but they were often trapped in terribly abusive homes, subject to forced child labor, and girls sold to wealthy men. Teenage pregnancy soared and petty theft by teens became a common “livelihood.” With your contributions, kids like Daniel and Mary Grace, South Sudanese refugees living in the Palabek Refugee Settlement, had a place to go. THRIVE counselors provided carefully planned fun activities to provide emotional support, encouragement, and social skills while the children were out of school. And our counselors were there to work with kids and their families when they were coping with the emotional strains of COVID-19.
When whole villages were challenged with lockdowns and business shutdowns, THRIVE counselors couldn’t be everywhere at once. With your contributions, THRIVE was able to train and supervise more than 100 community members to be Lay Counselors/Domestic Violence Monitors. Janet learned the skills of crisis intervention, basic emotional support, intake, and referrals so her neighbors who were suffering didn’t need to wait for care. When a woman in her village approached Janet because she couldn’t sleep, Janet referred her to a THRIVE counselor who recognized that she had underlying depression and needed support.
And, when the unspeakable did happen to 14-year-old Angel, THRIVE specialists were there. When Angel needed medical care, THRIVE was there to help her and her mom access treatment and assist with paying the costs. When Angel needed help speaking with police and filing paperwork, THRIVE was there to help her mom fill out forms. And when Angel felt the emotional toll of experiencing violent abuse, THRIVE was there to provide care and counseling to her and to her family. With your generous donations, we were able to be there for 293 women and girls during the COVID lockdown.
YOU WERE THERE FOR US
SO THAT WE COULD BE THERE FOR THEM.
Entire communities are reached and made stronger, individuals are improving their quality of life through successful income-generating activities, families are dwelling safely together in homes devoid of violence. Survivors are becoming THRIVERS.
THANK YOU for being part of the THRIVEGulu family!
TOGETHER WE THRIVE!
Alal Single Dora, Country Director
