In simple and word word YAREN's passion is" Empowerment".

YAREN Organization is a dynamic and visionary entity committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. Our values are deeply rooted in principles of integrity, collaboration, and sustainable development.

At YAREN, we believe also in:

1. Community Empowerment: We are dedicated to empowering communities through education, skills development, and access to resources. By fostering self-sufficiency, we aim to create lasting positive change.
2. Environmental Stewardship: Recognizing the importance of a sustainable planet, we integrate environmentally friendly practices into our projects. YAREN is committed to promoting eco-conscious initiatives and minimizing our ecological footprint.
3. Inclusivity: We strive for inclusivity in all aspects of our work. Regardless of background or circumstance, YAREN is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

YAREN Organization has been iinvolved actively in a range of different initiatives but in three words:

1. Education and Skill Building: We provide educational opportunities and skill-building programs to empower individuals and enhance their employability.
2. Health and Well-being: YAREN is committed to improving community health through awareness campaigns, access to healthcare, and wellness programs.
3. Sustainable Development: Our projects focus on sustainable development, addressing the immediate needs of communities while considering long-term environmental and social impacts.

Our Impact:

Through our collaborative efforts, YAREN Organization has made a meaningful impact in various regions, touching the lives of countless individuals. We measure success not only by the completion of projects but by the positive and lasting changes experienced by the communities we serve.

Get Involved:

If you share our values and are passionate about making a difference, consider joining us on our journey. Whether through volunteerism, partnerships, or support, together, we can contribute to a brighter and more sustainable future.

How to prevent early marriage

In recent years child marriage has gained increasing prominence on international and national development agendas. Today, we have a unique opportunity to act on this momentum and accelerate our efforts to help change the lives of girls and young women all over the world.

Ending child marriage requires work across all sectors and at all levels. It requires us to understand the complex drivers behind the practice in different contexts and adapt our interventions accordingly.

Ending child marriage also requires increased, targeted investments from both international donors and governments in high prevalence countries. The funding that is currently available is nowhere near large enough to match the scale of child marriage worldwide.

After all the trainings of teenagers beneficiaries are also equipped with life skills in tailoring within six months then, after their training session YAREN will connect them to the market for their group work products and offering them some others skills for self-reliance and recovery from depression as well as talent development in sports, music, Dance and Drama.

So far we need to:

Empower Girls.

Working directly with girls teen mothers to give them the opportunity to build skills and knowledge, understand and exercise their rights and develop support networks, is an important part of our efforts to end child marriage. ...

Mobilize Families and Communities. ...

Provide services. ...

Establish and Implement Laws and Policies.

EMPOWER GIRLS

Working directly with girls and teen mothers to give them the opportunity to build skills and knowledge, understand and exercise their rights and develop support networks, is an important part of our efforts to end child marriage.

Using an empowerment approach can lead to positive outcomes for girls and their families by supporting girls to become agents of change, helping them envisage what alternative roles could look like in their communities and ultimately helping them to forge their own pathway in life.

SAFE SPACE PROGRAMMES

Safe space programmes which offer a varied curriculum covering life skills, health and financial literacy can provide girls with an opportunity to build their skills, learn and meet friends and mentors in an informal setting and learn about the services they can access in their community.

Safe space programmes can successfully build girls’ self-confidence, agency and self-efficacy, which they need to thrive. They can provide a good alternative for girls who do not have access to formal education such as married girls. Having a safe regular meeting place allows girls to meet with peers and share experiences which can reduce their sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Some of these programmes have economic empowerment components, such as conditional cash transfers, or the provision of a goat or chicken, which have proven successful in increasing the age of marriage.

MOBILIZE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Many families and communities see child marriage as a deeply rooted practice which has been part of their culture for generations. Whether the practice is cited as cultural or religious, it is often driven by inequitable gender norms such as an emphasis on protecting a girls’ (or her family’s) honor by controlling her sexuality.

For change to happen, the values and norms which support the practice of child marriage need to shift. Working with families and the wider community to raise awareness of the harmful consequences of child marriage can change attitudes and reduce the acceptance among those who make the decision to marry girls as children.

WORKING WITH MEN AND BOYS

Working with men and boys is a critical part of our efforts to end child marriage. In many communities it is the men who hold the power and make the decisions. Interventions targeting fathers, brothers, husbands and future husbands are important in helping men and boys reflect on the status quo and see the benefits of a community which values and supports girls and women to fulfill their potential.
Safe space programmes can successfully build girls’ self-confidence, agency and self-efficacy, which they need to thrive. They can provide a good alternative for girls who do not have access to formal education such as married girls. Having a safe regular meeting place allows girls to meet with peers and share experiences which can reduce their sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Some of these programmes have economic empowerment components, such as conditional cash transfers, or the provision of a goat or chicken, which have proven successful in increasing the age of marriage.

MOBILIZE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Many families and communities see child marriage as a deeply rooted practice which has been part of their culture for generations. Whether the practice is cited as cultural or religious, it is often driven by inequitable gender norms such as an emphasis on protecting a girls’ (or her family’s) honor by controlling her sexuality.

For change to happen, the values and norms which support the practice of child marriage need to shift. Working with families and the wider community to raise awareness of the harmful consequences of child marriage can change attitudes and reduce the acceptance among those who make the decision to marry girls as children.

WORKING WITH MEN AND BOYS

Working with men and boys is a critical part of our efforts to end child marriage. In many communities it is the men who hold the power and make the decisions. Interventions targeting fathers, brothers, husbands and future husbands are important in helping men and boys reflect on the status quo and see the benefits of a community which values and supports girls and women to fulfill their potential.

RELIGIOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS

Religious and traditional leaders, too, have the potential to play a key role in speaking out against child marriage and changing community attitudes. In communities where religious and traditional leaders play a prominent role in decision-making or influencing the prevailing norms, targeted interventions can support them to become positive advocates for change who fully understand the implications of child marriage for girls and their families.

COMMUNITY LEVEL CHANGE

Community level change underpins all of our efforts in preventing child marriage and mitigating the harmful effects for married girls. Without change at this level, the day-to-day reality for girls all over the world will remain the same.

At the grassroots, organisations are driving change by campaigning, holding community conversations and using a variety of creative techniques such as street theatre and art to reflect on the practice of child marriage and communicate its harmful impacts for girls and their communities.

Yvette Mapendo, aged 19, shares her journey:

At just 12 years old, I faced unexpected challenges. Sent to Uganda by my father, I found myself pregnant after being deceived by a man from America. Abandoned by my family, I endured hardship alone. Struggling as a young mother, I sought refuge in Nakivale camp, only to face further hardships with my child.

After finding temporary solace, another relationship brought more pain. Left pregnant and alone once again, I sought refuge with a kind neighbor. Determined to rebuild my life, I pursued education opportunities wherever I could find them.

Discovering YAREN Organisation was a turning point. They provided support, faith, and valuable life lessons. Through their guidance, I learned forgiveness, gained self-confidence, and found hope in pursuing a career in tailoring.

Today, I stand with gratitude for YAREN's empowerment and the chance to shape my future with renewed strength and purpose.

and Stella Zawadi Mulebelwa, 21, YAREN staff member and Field Officer, shares her journey:

Previously working in diverse roles, it was at YAREN that I discovered my true potential. Through extensive training and support, YAREN has provided me stability and countless opportunities, enabling me to pursue my passion for helping girls and troubled individuals in Nakivale.

YAREN's impact on teen mothers and children is remarkable. Beyond education, the organization addresses immediate needs by providing essential items, empowering individuals for healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Together, we strive for a brighter future in Nakivale, where education, mental well-being, and empowerment are accessible to all.