In December 2023, Ourganda’s founder was in Bundibugyo. The vice chairman of the district, a man named Joel, called Vincent’s phone and asked him to bring Ron to his office. Vincent and Ron met with Joel and a colleague. “We are extremely thankful for what Ourganda does to stop domestic violence,” he said. “So many others have tried and failed, but your program is successful. Thank you!”
His next words were chilling. “We have a problem here in our district that we don’t know how to solve. Last year in just this district, we know of 2,225 girls who were forcibly raped. Many of them became pregnant. We have tried everything. None of the churches, none of the other nonprofits, not even law enforcement can stop it. Ourganda has found a way to stop men from beating their wives; would you be willing to help us stop children from being violated?”
We decided to try.
In October 2024, Ourganda hired two teachers, Joinus and Kereni, to lead the effort. They did the following:
1. They set a goal of stopping sexual violence against the children in our villages by September 5, 2025. When that date arrived, they hoped every child would be able to say, “I am safe now because the rules have changed;” every adult would say, “We will not be quiet anymore. We will act. We will protect our kids;” every offender would say, “I don’t dare do this again—ever.”
2. Leading up to September 5, they scheduled 70 meetings with government officials, attorneys, teachers, pastors, parents and older students to enlist their cooperation. Starting with the Mankind and Soul Sisters clubs that already existed, Joinus and Kereni built a massive army of volunteers who were serious about stopping this curse against our kids.
3. They established a Community Action Team comprised of high-level government officials, the district probation officer, a physician, a prominent religious leader, and key Ourganda staff. This team is firmly committed to aggressively exercise their legal authority and hold accountable anyone foolish enough to harm a child.
A Powerful Extravaganza
When September 5 arrived, the Ourganda team hosted a massive celebration at the Ourganda Community Center. A long line of government officials were present along with journalists from all over the country. Part of the festivities was live-streamed to a TV station in Kampala. A crowd of hundreds enjoyed short speeches, enthusiastic music and dancing, a marching band and parade through town, creative children’s skits, face painting—and, of course, lots of food.
Hundreds of wrist bands
One of the highlights was distributing 1,200 wrist bands, engraved with a phone number. Every child and every adult learned that if a child was in danger or had already been hurt, a phone call to the number on the wrist band assured a quick response. Every potential offender was immediately put on notice that 1,200 people were watching; if he was foolish enough to harm a child, he would absolutely be reported, arrested and punished.
Several months after September 5, local police informed our team that they rarely receive reports of sexual violence against our kids. Of course Joinus and her army of volunteers remain vigilant.
The Ourganda way of solving problems
All the ingredients are already present. Ourganda simply organizes the volunteers into protection teams, builds strong relationships with government authorities, then connects everyone in a powerful system that deters anyone who values his freedom.
Because of Ourganda, hundreds of village and government leaders across Bundibugyo District have achieved collective efficacy, the conviction that systemic change can happen. Communities everywhere are being equipped to protect their own.
This isn’t charity. This is transformation.
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