Background of Friends of
Orphans: Friends of Orphans (FRO) was
founded and is administered by former child soldiers,
orphans and abductees from Pader District, all of whom
were and continue to be affected by the war in
Northern Uganda. It is a fully registered
non-for-profit NGO –Government of Uganda registration
number S 5914/5010. FRO founder Ricky Anywar Richard
and others conceived Friends of Orphans in 1999 whilst
pursuing degrees at the University of Makerere. From
their experiences as former abductees and orphans –
many of whom lost immediate and extended family
members, friends and neighbours and suffered
displacement – led them to commit to the ongoing and
unmet needs of their community displaced in IDP camps
and resettlement communities. As FRO we have formally
prepared ourselves as educators, medical officers,
administrators, environmentalists, and in other
professional fields through university education and
work experience. This enabled us to organize a
community-based organization.Organization’s goal:The goal of FRO is to: ‘Reduce the
vulnerability of child mothers, orphans, former child
soldiers, abductees and women through education and
skills empowerment – and protect their rights.’ MissionThe mission is, to contribute to
the empowerment, rehabilitation and reintegration of
former child soldiers, abductees, child mothers,
orphans and to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. Focus To rehabilitate, reintegrate and
empower those impacted by the conflict and HIV/AIDS in
Northern Uganda. Friends of Orphans aim to do this
through education, health, and peace-building
activities.VisionThe vision is ‘a society in which
the vulnerable are empowered to achieve their full
potential and contribute to the development of their
community.’Objectives of FRO:To assist in the rehabilitation of
former child soldiers, orphans and other vulnerable
children in Pader district.To empower and improve the lives of
former child soldiers, orphans and women through
educational support – both academic and vocational –
and income-generating activities.To participate in peace and
reconciliation processes in the war-affected region of
Northern Uganda. To support the children and
communities affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in Pader
District.To coordinate with human rights’
activists, local government leaders, the police, army
and cultural and religious leaders to promote
cleansing ceremonies for
former child soldiers and abductees. To ensure that basic human rights
of all – in particular women and children – are
observed. Friends of Orphans areas of
operation:FRO headquarters are in Pader Town,
northern Uganda. We operate in the district of Pader
in northern Uganda
