MORE THAN A DECADE OF IMPLEMENTING  COMMUNITY ACTION MODEL

In 2003, northern Uganda was at the height of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict—a period marked by grave human rights violations, collapsed systems, and widespread displacement. Communities were forced into overcrowded camps with appalling conditions, and the hope for justice and dignity was nearly extinguished. The United Nations described it as “the most forgotten, neglected humanitarian situation in the world.”

In response, a group of committed youth came together to form a grassroots initiative aimed at supporting humanitarian efforts and restoring dignity to their communities. This movement gave rise to the Voluntary Initiative Support Organisation (VISO).

Our Vision & Mission

Vision: A peaceful and productive society with diverse and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Mission: To contribute to household livelihood stability through empowerment and the sustainable use of resources for development.

Who We Are

VISO is an independent, non-profit organization legally registered with Uganda’s National NGO Bureau under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We are governed by a Board of Directors and operate as a neutral, objective, and secular entity.

Our team includes experienced professionals both men and women who bring formal training and deep expertise in humanitarian and development work.

Our Work

VISO focuses on empowering communities through:

• Livelihood development

• Youth and women empowerment

• Peacebuilding and reconciliation

• Education and vocational training

• Environmental sustainability

• Health and psychosocial support

The Impact we have created in the communities.

Since its founding, VISO has made measurable strides in rebuilding lives and communities:

• Over 12,000 households  supported with livelihood development programs

• 3,500 youth and women trained in entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and leadership

• 2,000 children provided with educational support, including school fees and materials

• 15 community peace dialogues facilitated, contributing to reconciliation and social cohesion

• 8 mobile health clinics conducted, reaching over 5,000 individuals with basic health and psychosocial services

• 10 boreholes constructed, improving access to clean water for over 20,000 people

Funding Needs

To continue and expand our impact, VISO is actively seeking funding for the following priority areas:

1. Community Livelihood Projects

   • Agricultural inputs and training

   • Small business startup kits

   • Vocational skills development

2. Youth & Women Empowerment Programs

   • Leadership and entrepreneurship training

   • Access to microfinance and savings groups

   • Gender-based violence prevention and support

3. Education Support

   • School fees and materials for vulnerable children

   • Construction of learning centers

   • Teacher training and capacity building

4. Health & Psychosocial Services

   • Mobile clinics and mental health outreach

   • Trauma counseling and rehabilitation

   • Sanitation and hygiene initiatives

5. Organizational Capacity Building

   • Staff training and development

   • Monitoring and evaluation systems

   • Office equipment and operational support

Partner With Us

VISO welcomes support from governments, international and local donors, United Nations agencies, private sector foundations, and individuals who share our commitment to building resilient communities and fostering lasting peace.

Your partnership can help transform lives and restore hope where it’s needed most.