Friends of Orphans Is mandated to provide social protection to poor vulnerable children and communities. Such children include orphans, former abducted child soldiers, those that toil under exploitative conditions of labour as well as those that suffer sexual abuse and other forms of discrimination. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has greatly contributed to the huge numbers of orphans and other vulnerable children that have overwhelming extended beyond family support Read more

One of the children shares her experience during a function organized by FRO

Artishake no7 w 0708 by Art4DevelopmentNet

Friends of Orphans is an NGO with no political or religious affiliations, based in northern Uganda in war torn district of  Pader. Fro is a registered charity organization and Read more on page 14-20 >>

Words from independent people from around the world 

1. Faith Luga, lecturer at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda

“Friends of Orphans have had a strong tradition of working in rural areas especially among the needy and vulnerable youth through vocational skills training and education,”

2. Jacqueline Laruni, public health team leader for Oxfam Kitgum, Uganda

“In areas where they have worked, they have achieved a lot in alleviating poverty and liberating vulnerable and oppressed youth in order to promote social change and prevent social exclusion.... Anywar Ricky Richard, program director, has a heart for the needy and vulnerable orphans. He is a living example among the youth, motivating them to work hard and achieve their goals in life. He is dedicated to serving the poor and vulnerable people. He is serious, professional and committed to his work. The leadership of Friends of Orphans is dedicated, trustworthy and highly respected in the community.” “Friends of Orphans program has been instrumental in promoting free self employment vocational and technical training among our young people ...who need skills to become self employed and self-reliant,”

3. Mr. Baraza Fredrick, consultant with Geneva Global International

 “Friends of Orphans as an organization have always been willing to assist anyone, regardless of their background. This is impressive, especially in an area that has gone through many years of war. I have been impressed by their sensitivity to local needs of the youth, cultural sensitivity and dedication of their staff. Anywar Ricky [Richard], the program director, is a living example of someone who has sacrificed his time, energy and skills for the sake of the young vulnerable people in Pader district and the entire northern Uganda. I witnessed his sheer determination in working for hopelessness in our community. Its leadership is transparent in its financial transactions exhibiting the highest level of integrity.”6www.GenevaGlobal.com 

4. Mr. Kirunda David, regional officer for AIM, Uganda

 “I particularly like FRO programs because of the fact that young people receive education and vocational skills through training. This is an element that helps ensure success of projects in the community.

Many Friends of Orphans staffs are former abductees and orphans, many of whom also lost immediate and extended family members, friends and neighbors, suffered displacement and continue to suffer those losses. They have been inspired and are committed to addressing the unmet needs of their young people displaced to IDP camps and resettlement communities. This is an exemplary initiative that aims at reaching the needy, vulnerable, young people in Northern Uganda.” says Kirunda David, regional officer for AIM, Uganda, Kampala. David has supervised and monitored vocational training programs for former abductees for the past 5 years. His organization has donated funds to Friends of Orphans.5

5. Mr. EY Komakech, head of Pader district local government workers

“Most of the organizations operating within Pader district are focusing on food distribution and other basic needs, leaving basic skills training, vocational training and economic empowerment [unserved. This] creates a cycle of dependency syndromes, and this gap needs to be filled to eradicate poverty. Pader district local government is calling for creating an enabling environment for rapid and sustainable economic growth and structural transformation, increasing the ability of the poor to raise their incomes through access to productive assets,” says EY Komakech, head of Pader government workers.