Who We Are

Background

Youth Social Work Association Uganda (YSA) is a non-profit making organisation (NGO) founded to promote the welfare of the children and youth in Uganda and the East African Region as a whole.

YSA uses a unique approach in community development called the TWIGA (a Swahili word for giraffe). The approach was developed within the development cooperation work for the promotion of the children and the youth between the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development and The German Development Agency - GTZ. The main objective of the approach is to activate the self-help potentials of, and to animate the youth to form groups and consequently contribute to their community development. This approach targets social workers, youth leaders, youth groups, district youth officers, NGOs staff and other stakeholders who are working with young people. It is a peer group approach that generates a multiplier effect through replicating and that way reach a much larger number of youth.

The approach has a strong emphasis on active participation of the beneficiaries. To ensure this, interactive / animated pedagogical methods are used. The approach is also a very flexible one. The Modules used can be easily adapted to the various concrete situations in which they are used. Thematically, the training modules used cover a wide range of important areas. These include; Participatory children and youth appraisals, organisation, moderation, alternative livelihoods/ entrepreneurship skills development, health, peace building and creation of networks for children and youth promotion.

Vision

A society that protects and values children and youth.

Mission

Provide capacity building, psycho-social and material support to young people individually and in groups.

Core Values

The Core Values of YSA are derived from the TWIGA (A Swahili word for Giraffe) that stands for Tolerant, Working in Partnerships, Innovative, Global and Accountable. These core values are best illustrated by the TWIGA modules. These values are incorporated in the day to day operations of YSA and also in interactions with all stakeholders. 

Working Premises

1. Promotion of youth potential
YSA values promoting the potential of young people towards developing the society they live in. The youth identify their potential by their participation and active involvement in life skills challenges and group roles to build up their abilities of handling tasks.

2. Respect for the rights of children and youth
YSA believes and upholds the UN conventions on the rights of children and youth as individuals who can express their plight in the most transparent manner and be listened to and accorded the right response to issues that affect their well being.

3. All young people should have a chance to develop
YSA believes that each individual youth has the potential to develop him/herself under all circumstances and YSA recognises that it is our responsibility to tap and help develop this potential in the young people.

4. Concern for others
Humanity by nature comes with concerns for others in as far as interactions and socialisation affects the well being of mankind. YSA considers this a virtue by nature of its involvement in making society a better place to live in through harmonious co-existence with others.

5. Respect for children and youth opinions
YSA believes that every opinion expressed is valuable and should be respected. YSA considers it a responsibility to ensure that opinions of young people are given the due consideration and attention it deserves.

6. Participative learning
YSA believes in offering young people trainings that are centered on their interests and participation in life skills development. The youth get involved in all trainings sessions by actively participating in role plays, brainstorming sessions and animation games to express their views of what they feel is most suitable and appropriate for them.

7. Enlightenment
YSA values knowledge and information for understanding of young peoples needs, situations etc. YSA promotes enlightened opinions, attitudes and an enlightened approach to training.

8. Non partisan
YSA considers all youth to be equal irrespective of their race, cultural background, tribe, colour, religious affiliation, political affiliation, physical limitations among others. YSA treats all youths as individuals independent of their backgrounds.

9. Gender sensitivity
YSA believes in full involvement of all youth irrespective of sex in all activities the youth are engaged in. By designing tailor made programs to carter for all gender considerations, particularly taking into account areas on the girl child and the consequences that come with it. YSA is gender inclusive.

10. Youth are a major social capital
YSA believes that it is essential to work at all levels from the individual youth through to the whole nation, along side organizations/agencies/institutions with similar values. YSA recognises that by addressing issues affecting the youth socially, economically and culturally, the youth can be able to become active and productive members of society and in national building.

11. Cost efficiency and transparency
YSA believes in being efficient in cost managing resources available, transparent and accountable; financially, socially and ethically to its beneficiaries, supporters, partners, promoters and donors. In order to uphold this value, YSA-U staff will ensure that during programme implementation, they conduct themselves in manner that promotes the image of the association among its development partners, Programme beneficiaries and the funding partners.

12. Flexibility
To effectively take care of the needs and aspirations of young people, YSA adopts itself to the ever changing social dynamics to suit the interest of young people.

13. Community approach
Because it is important to make the society a better place to live, YSA believes in initiating all approaches based on the expectations of the community and their involvement in any aspects that concern them for their well being.

Our activities cover six Ugandan districts. These are Gulu, Lira, Kitgum, Pader and Dokolo in the North, Arua in West Nile, Mbale in eastern Uganda and Bushenyi in the western region. Through collaboration with our development partners, YSA's activities are constantly expanding.

The Team

YSA operates under the guidance and direction of a Board of Directors that is comprised of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Board Secretary, Finance Secretary, and three Members.

The Management team is headed by the Executive Director, who foresees the day to day operations of the organisation and ensures that all activities are in line with the set strategic objectives.
 
The District/Field offices are headed by Project officers who are assisted by the Project Assistants in the actual implementation of project activities. There is also a wide pool of volunteers who actively participate in the project activities all over the country.

The Field teams are supported by a team of administrative and technical staff based at the YSA head office in Kampala.
All the above mentioned work towards creation of a society that protects and values children and youth.

Governance Team