THRIVEGulu believes that meaningful existence is more than mere survival. We believe the invisible wounds of psychological trauma deserve healing. And, we believe that functionality and productivity can only flourish when an individual and her community are more-than-surviving.
Established in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we support communities in Northern Uganda to recover from the traumatic effects of war.
For over two decades, Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) terrorized Northern Uganda. Over 60,000 mothers faced the unthinkable reality that their young boys were abducted to fight for the LRA. Some 20,000 fathers awoke to find their young daughters abducted to serve as brides to LRA commanders. More than 2 million people were forced to flee their homes. Over 100,000 mourned the needless death of a loved one. The war is over, but in its wake, the LRA left behind a society psychologically traumatized by war, poverty, lack of education, sexual violence and hopelessness.
Today, another humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Almost 1,000,000 refugees from South Sudan have fled violence and famine, crossing the southern border to seek safety in Northern Uganda. This is the 3rd largest refugee crisis in the world today. Even as the refugees require humanitarian aid, there is enormous strain on those Ugandans who must share their land and limited resources with others.
THRIVEGulu is a trauma recovery organization. Our signature approach brings together two interlocking pillars of healing: 1) Mental Health & Psychosocial Support and 2) Individual & Community Empowerment. We provide mental health counseling to help both Ugandans and South Sudanese overcome the nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and stress of psychological trauma. But, we also know that it’s hard to stop feeling stressed and depressed if you live in abject poverty, and that it’s hard to get a job or start a micro-business if you were denied an education. So, THRIVEGulu also provides economic empowerment and literacy programs to help individuals look towards a future of possibility.
From survivors to THRIVERS our credo rings true: “Together We THRIVE!”
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Be among the first to view our newly released THRIVEGulu mini-documentary, “Northern Uganda – Right Now.”
For more information, contact Executive Director, Mick Hirsch, Yale M.Div. ’03
