United Way in AFRICA UNITED WAY, the world’s largest privately-supported nonprofit organization, is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their communities. Among the thousands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa, United Way uniquely brings together the power of corporations, individuals, and communities. The United Way business model drives this cross-sector partnership toward community impact that supports long-term change. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. worldwide.unitedway.org United Way Uganda leverages the talent and expertise of the community to provide solutions related to health, access to water and sanitation, and education. The organization launched the Women Vendors Malaria Prevention Project, which has yielded significant health and economic benefits to women market vendors in Kampala. United Way Ghana Since its inception in 2003, United Way Ghana has been working with grassroots community organizations, local government, and corporate leaders in support of stronger, healthier, educated and self-sustaining communities in Ghana. Their current focus areas are: empowering women into enterprise, reducing incidents of Malaria, and supporting the acquisition of a quality education for deprived children. The Asawasi educational initiative, focused on encouraging Muslim girls of school going age in rural areas to attain secular education, has gained success in the Brong Ahafo region. The initiative which engages parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders has so far lead to a 10 percent increase in school enrollment in less than two years. United Way Worldwide 701 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 U.S.A. worldwide.unitedway.org © 2014 United Way Worldwide | IN-0714 United Way Nigeria United Way Nigeria envisions a Nigeria where all people attain their full potential in the areas of education, financial stability, and healthy living. To help realize this vision, they work with a group of diverse individuals and communities on vocational training. By providing Nigerians access to quality vocational training, with internationally accepted certification, United Way Nigeria is helping to develop a workforce with skills relevant to the evolving needs within industries in Nigeria, thereby creating jobs and enhancing entrepreneurship opportunities. Several community conversations on vocational training have been held with administrators, government regulatory bodies, students, and graduates from around Lagos. These conversations have not only raised awareness of vocational education as an alternative to formal education but they have also identified the need to equip program graduates with entrepreneurial skills to start their own businesses. Additionally, financial literacy sessions are available to students of existing vocational training schools, secondary school students, under graduates, and recent graduates in the National Youth Service Corp. In the area of health, United Way Nigeria is partnering with organizations to hold health sensitization initiatives in low income neighborhoods across Lagos. Some of the areas of interest will include: primary health care, water borne diseases, hygiene, and sanitation. United Way Johannesburg Advancing the Common Good United Way Uganda Since 2004, United Way Uganda has fostered social change and improved communities by creating partnerships between donors, volunteers, and service providers. The organization has supported a network of programs throughout Uganda, including Pallisa, Mbale, Kalliro and Wakiso districts. As one of the newest members of the United Way network, United Way Johannesburg mobilizes communities to ascertain their most pressing needs and seeks to satisfy these needs in collaboration with key stakeholders within the community. United Way’s intended areas of intervention are in line with the National Development Plan 2030, which identifies major areas of focus for addressing the challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. During its first year of operation, United Way Johannesburg will focus on conducting community stakeholder conversations, transcribing the challenges and aspirations derived from each stakeholder group, and utilizing the information to develop a community wide initiative. They have selected the Inner City as their initial geographic area of focus. Best practices derived from the results from the Inner City initiative, will be replicated throughout the region. Future United Way in Kenya We are in the process of working with corporate and community leaders in Nairobi to establish a United Way in Kenya. Nairobi is emerging as the information technology hub of Africa and is the financial and economic hub for East Africa. A presence in Kenya is a critical component of United Way’s strategy in Africa. To learn more, or to start a United Way in your country, visit worldwide.unitedway.org or contact Janet Butler, Vice President, Africa Region and the Caribbean at [email protected].