Nyaka Global works to provide holistic care for orphaned and vulnerable children in rural Uganda. They offer
a comprehensive package of services ranging from high-quality education to healthcare and sanitation
services, as well as providing micro-finance programs and domestic models of care. Nyaka also addresses the
sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) epidemic in Uganda through counseling and medical support, while
advocating for victims’ justice.
Nyaka now has a global reach, providing other NGOs with a model of child-centered care. This was made
possible through their community-based approach, where they work with members of target communities to understand
their needs and provide them with the necessary skills to independently lead these programs. For instance,
they work with over 20,000 grandmothers to give them training and micro-finance services to ensure quality
care and investments to ensure sustainable development inter-generationally.
Beyond their community-based approach, their multi-sectoral approach is worthy of another highlight. Nyaka
creates impact on policy at the institutional, individual, interpersonal, and community levels. Their
programs have been successful in building a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow
and thrive.
Nyaka’s success is the product of its sustainable approach to community-based service and care. They are an
exceptional example of how to solve real problems effectively and we are proud to have them as one of our
partner NGOs!
Origins and Mission
Nyaka was founded by Twesigye
Jackson Kaguri ,
a Ugandan human rights advocate and author. In 1996, he faced an HIV/AIDS pandemic in his own village,
Nyakagyezi. Jackson lost his brother to AIDS and lost his sister to the same illness a year later.
His siblings left behind children who were orphaned and needed to be taken care of. Unfortunately, Jackson's
nephews were just some of the many orphaned children in Nyakagyezi who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.
This hardship illuminated the plight of orphans in Nyakgyezi and inspired him to make change.
A large education gap existed for orphaned children because of their lack of resources and support.
Education breaks barriers of poverty, and Jackson made it his mission with Nyaka to work with
communities to
nurture and protect children so they can learn, grow, and thrive.
In 2001, Nyaka was officially founded in Nyakagyezi, and their projects have made a great impact ever since.
In 2003, Nyaka Primary opened with 55 students. In the following years, they launched their Clean Water and
Nutrition programs serving 17,500 community members. Alongside this, they started their Grandmother Program
and Desire Farm, which supported the development of the community by providing a sustainable form of income.
Nyaka Primary School earned such a great reputation that students would travel long distances to attend.
This led to the opening of a second school in Kutumba, a neighboring village. Their support for education
goes beyond schools– in 2009 they opened the Blue Lupin Library, a safe place where students have access to
books and computers to facilitate learning.
Nyaka later opened a Health Clinic and a Vocational and Secondary School for their students in Nyaka and
Kutumba. Later, they merged with EDJA Foundation, an NGO supporting victims of SGBV and educating
communities on GBV prevention.
“Now, Nyaka has evolved into a global team building a replicable model of
child-centered care for rural communities.”
Programs
Nyaka currently leads a wide range of programs. As part of their model of child-centered care for rural
communities, they have programs supporting the education and nutrition of children, community strengthening
and development, and GBV prevention:
“Our programs are wide-ranging and far-reaching. Because we know there is no single
magic bullet that will change the life of a child.”
Education
Nyaka supports students ranging from preschoolers to university and vocational students. They make sure cost
is not a barrier to education by granting scholarships to students, and their schools have above-average
attendance rates and test scores. They also provide students with valuable skills like public speaking and
assist them in the transition to the job markets. This long-term support gives a great advantage to their
students and ensures long-term learning.
Grandmothers
Once grandmothers enter Nyaka’s program, they have access to a package of services including renovated or
new houses, access to clean water, support groups, health education, counseling, and micro-loans for them to
start their own businesses. This support ensures care for orphaned children and ensures multi-generational
success despite hardship.
Health and Nutrition
Nyaka serves children who must walk miles to school, or whose families cannot afford to provide them 3 meals
a day and/or appropriate medical care. They ensure everyone has access to clean water using gravity-fed
water systems. This additionally protects people from sexual assault as they do not need to walk long
distances to gather water. Moreover, their clinics and workshops provide health services and education which
play a key role in HIV/AIDs prevention, and they supply schools with menstrual products.
Sexual and Gender-Based
Violence
Nyaka partnered with the EDJA foundation to fight the GBV epidemic in Uganda. Together they fight harmful
gender norms and stigma that contribute to GBV and prevent victims from getting support. They provide
medical care, counseling services, and legal support to survivors of SGBV while spreading awareness of
women’s rights.
Nyaka’s Impact on Figures
The long-term involvement of Nyaka in rural Uganda has been effective, affirmed by quantitative data and
also by the testimonies of those supported by the NGO. For example, Denis, who has worked 14 years with
Nyaka and even went through the Nyaka program himself, talks very proudly of his job and acknowledges
Nyaka’s support in giving access to a great education:
"I went through the entire Nyaka school system and
performed well which earned me admittance to Makerere University Business School. I never thought it would
be possible for me to attend university.
As of 2019, Nyaka has:
- Reached 80,000 children through their programs
- Supported 20,000 grandmothers who participated as caregivers for vulnerable children
- Worked in maintaining an average of 774 students educated each year
- Motivated 20% of their alumni to stay engaged with the organization
- Organized 3,000+ people against SGBV
- Maintained a 97% repayment rate in the Grandmothers micro-finance program
How ámaxa students can get involved
ámaxa matches our students with expert mentors and a remote global team to solve real problems at global nonprofits, and Nyaka was our very first partner nonprofit.
Our student, Sabrina, and her mentor, Madeline (who actually worked at Nyaka for a few years herself!), is currently raising money for the “Nyaka Solar Garden Project.” The fundraising will contribute to installing
20-40 solar panels next summer to provide sustainable and reliable electricity to Nyaka’s
school, library, and the village! However, we aim to launch new projects with Nyaka later this year, so stay tuned!
To learn more about the Nyaka Solar Garden Project, visit their GoFundMe
page where you can also support them by making donations or sharing it with friends.
If Nyaka’s work inspired you as much as it inspired us, don’t hesitate to apply to our Student Impact
Program and start solving problems with ámaxa and Nyaka!