YOUTH AT RISK UGANDA

iYOUTH AT RISK UGANDA was established to respond to the Community needs and challenges of marginalized children due to disability, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and hunger. Children with disabilities, Orphans and other vulnerable children suffer from limited access to education and employment opportunities leading to economic and social exclusion. They are vulnerable to lack of social security and due to breakdown in the extended family system in Uganda coupled with limited land, shelter, food security, rehabilitation services and other economic avenues. It is also noted that such suffering do not only make these poor children vulnerable but also limit their productive potentials and alternatives in life and thus live and die with resignation and self pity.

MISSION
The mission of YAR-U is “To contribute to the fundamental basic needs of Children with disabilities, Orphans and other vulnerable children especially those living under difficult circumstances to minimum standards for a life of dignity through home based rehabilitation services, vocational skills training, advocacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support services and establishment of institutional and physical structures that improve on their living conditions”.
VISION
The vision of YAR-U is “Communities where Children with disabilities, Orphans and other vulnerable children enjoy their full potential and life of dignity and sustainable livelihoods”.
OBJECTIVES
(a) To promote inclusive education and training for children and youth with disabilities, and other vulnerable children and set up a model sheltered training center for purposes of providing them with marketable and employable job skills that makes them self sustaining.

(b) To promote community Based means to empower Children with disabilities and to promote their social welfare including rehabilitation and improved health through home based rehabilitation and referral services.

(c) To increase Community awareness and health literacy on disease prevention especially HIV/AIDS and promotion of healthy life styles in order to have healthy and productive livelihoods.


(d) To initiate appropriate community Programmes aimed at enhancing sustainable food security systems at community and household levels for sustainable economic, social growth, survival and development of orphans and other vulnerable children and their households.

(e) To enhance YARU institutional capacity to effectively and efficiently facilitate and coordinate relevant development initiatives and Programmes.
CORE VALUES:
· The Organisation is committed to increasing knowledge and skills about disability, health and health rights and to seek, adopt and diffuse innovative solutions.
· Focusing on empowering children with disabilities and other vulnerable children at grassroots to know their rights with the hope that they can fight for it and actively participate in their own development endeavors.
· Promotion of Multisectoral approach to development issues.
· Emphasizing transparency and accountability in all the organisation work.

YARU GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
(a) Community Involvement and Participation
(b) Continuous Learning and use of best practices
(c) HIV/AIDS and Gender main streaming
(d) Focus on Vulnerable groups.
YARU TECHNICAL DOMAINS:
1. Inclusive education and Vocational training
2. Community Based Rehabilitation
3. Health, Water and Sanitation Promotion
4. Advocacy lobbying
5. Maternal and child health and Nutrition

YARU GOVERNANCE
1. General Assembly:
This is a supreme policy body. It is charged with policy approval and enactment. It’s composed of all members’ representatives. It elects members of the Management Board
2. Management Board
This is an executive arm of the Organization that is charged with policy formulation and overseeing the running of the Organisation. Composed of 6 members, It formulates policies that govern the Organisation. It also approves plans, projects and budgets for all the Organisation activities.
3. Secretariat:
This is a policy Implementation body of the Organisation. It is mainly composed of employed staff to implement projects as approved by the Management Board. It is headed by the Programme Coordinator who is an ex-officio member to the Board. It initiates/formulates projects, budgets and plans and presents them to the Board of Directors for approval. The secretariat has 3 programme staff including the coordinator and 3 part-time workers.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES:

Home Based Rehabilitation services for disabled children
Vocational skills training for children with disabilities and other vulnerable children
Community advocacy programme on disability and child protection
Community livelihood programme for persons with disabilities and Vulnerable groups
HIV/AIDS Awareness and Testing.
Community Health promotion regarding maternal and child health and nutrition