WHO WE ARE
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Reach the Impoverished with Social-Economic Empowerment (RISE) is a community-based organization dedicated to uplifting vulnerable communities through holistic, sustainable interventions. Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by addressing critical social, economic, and environmental challenges, ensuring that every child and family has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to transforming impoverished communities by providing access to quality education, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and economic empowerment opportunities.
We believe that when we uplift families in need, we are sowing seeds of hope, dignity, and lasting change.
We also believe in the strength of community collaboration. We invite you to stand with us as we empower every child and household. Your partnership in any form will have a meaningful impact on countless lives.
Our Vision
With a strong belief that “health is wealth and education is liberation,” Bukenya and Peter continue to champion a vision of empowered, self-sustaining communities rising from poverty to dignity
Moving Forward: Scaling Impact, Building the Future
As we continue to grow, RISE (Reach the Impoverished with Social-Economic Empowerment) remains deeply committed to transforming lives and empowering communities from the ground up.
We recognize that lasting change does not happen overnight, it takes persistence, partnership, and purpose. Building on our grassroots momentum and community trust, we are setting ambitious yet achievable goals to deepen our impact and reach more vulnerable children and families across Uganda.
Our Targeted Interventions in the Coming Years Include:
Supporting 300 Children Annually
Each year, we aim to identify and enroll at least 300 vulnerable children, primarily from rural and impoverished households, into our education support program. These children will receive:
• Full or partial school fees.
• Essential scholastic materials such as books, pens, uniforms, and backpacks,
• Nutritional support where possible to improve school attendance and concentration.
This intervention is not just about going to school — it’s about staying in school, thriving in school, and building a future beyond it.
Constructing 10 Boreholes Annually
Access to safe and clean water is a right, not a privilege. Our goal is to construct at least 10 community boreholes every year, strategically located near schools, health centers, and high need communities. These boreholes will:
• Reduce the burden of water collection (especially for girls and women),
• Eliminate dependency on unsafe water sources,
• Reduce waterborne diseases, improving overall community health.
We will also incorporate community ownership models to ensure sustainability, maintenance, and protection of these vital water points.
Completing and Equipping Our Community School Structure
Education cannot thrive without a conducive learning environment. We are working toward the completion of our already existing school facility, ensuring it meets minimum standards for quality and comfort.
Our vision includes:
• Safe, fully constructed classroom blocks with proper roofing, flooring, and ventilation,
• Desks, chairs, blackboards, and learning materials,
• A WASH block with gender-sensitive latrines and handwashing stations,
• A basic feeding program to support concentration and improve attendance.
Once completed, this school will serve as both a learning center for children and a training hub for community empowerment programs such as youth skilling, adult literacy, and health education.
Our Core values
We believe in empowering individuals by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to improve their lives. Sustainability guides every project, ensuring our impact endures for generations. Collaboration with local leaders, partners, and stakeholders is central to creating meaningful change.
We uphold integrity through transparency and accountability in all our actions. Inclusivity drives us to serve every person without discrimination, ensuring no one is left behind. Together, these values shape our commitment to transforming communities and building a future filled with opportunity and hope.
Awakening the sleeping genius
Providing school fees, scholastic materials, and meals for disadvantaged children.
Organizing literacy and numeracy programs to improve learning outcomes.
Supporting the construction of school infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment.
Health & Nutrition
Conducting community medical outreach programs that offer free health check-ups, essential vaccinations, and deworming treatments. Training families on proper nutrition, safe food handling, and strategies to improve food security and prevent malnutrition.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Installing community water dispensers and distributing chlorine to ensure safe drinking water. Conducting hygiene awareness campaigns to promote proper sanitation and waste disposal. Constructing pit latrines in underserved areas to improve sanitation.
Women & Youth Empowerment
Organizing practical leadership and entrepreneurship training sessions for women and youth. Promoting gender equality, confidence, and financial independence by equipping participants with valuable skills, business knowledge, and mentorship opportunities.
Livelihood & Economic Empowerment
Providing vocational training in tailoring, carpentry, and sustainable farming. Supporting small businesses through microfinance and seed funding. Enhancing financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills among community members.
Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability
Raising awareness on climate change and its impact on communities. Implementing tree planting and reforestation programs. Promoting sustainable agriculture and alternative energy solutions. Conducting waste management and recycling initiatives.
Background Story of RISEE
Reach the Impoverished with Social-Economic Empowerment (RISE) was born from the lived experiences and unwavering passion of its two founders Bukenya Bwoohe (Founder) and Namutolo Peter Gaius (Co-founder) both of whom were raised in the heart of rural Uganda, where poverty was not just a circumstance, but a daily reality.
Growing up in economically disadvantaged villages in Eastern and Central Uganda, Bukenya and Peter experienced firsthand the harsh consequences of poor access to healthcare, lack of clean water, and inadequate education. Healthcare facilities were scarce and understaffed, and most families relied on traditional medicine, often leading to preventable deaths.
They watched as bright, hopeful children dropped out of school due to lack of fees or scholastic materials. Unemployment loomed large over youth in their communities, fostering a cycle of hopelessness, early pregnancies, and social unrest. But both Bukenya, a community development practitioner and education philanthropist, and Peter, a community health professional and human rights advocate, refused to be defined by these limitations.
They believed that mindset change, the idea that people can rise above their conditions with the right knowledge, tools, and opportunities, was essential for long term transformation. Education, in their eyes, was the most powerful lever to break the chains of poverty. Inspired by their struggles and driven by purpose, they committed to creating a platform that would not only support the next generation but also uplift entire communities.
The Birth of RISEE
In 2023, fueled by their personal mission, RISE was established with the goal of empowering vulnerable communities through education, health, and economic self-sufficiency.
The founders knew that it was not enough to only support children’s education. To create lasting change, they needed to address the broader environment from access to clean water and sanitation, to economic empowerment and health awareness. They envisioned a community where:
• Every child could attend school with dignity,
• Every household could access clean, safe drinking water,
• Every youth had the skills to earn a living and live with purpose,
• And every woman and man could access information and tools to live healthy, empowered lives.
As part of their strategy, RISE launched community WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) campaigns, built low-cost latrines, promoted handwashing practices, and introduced locally made water dispensers. Meanwhile, we organized community camps teaching literacy, numeracy, and money-making skills, helping to change mindsets and foster self-reliance.
A Call to Partnership
We understand that the scale of these goals demands more than just passion, it requires collaboration, funding, and shared commitment. We welcome partnerships from local and international NGOs, development agencies, individuals, and corporations who share our belief in education, health, and self sufficiency for all.