Who we are
We are South Sudanese women activists, youth leaders and professionals who could not look away from what conflict, displacement and poverty were doing to our own communities. We founded Active Women Arise – Africa (AWA-Africa) in May 2019, and on 28 April 2020 we were registered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), which allows us to work in every part of the country. We work mostly in places that are hard to reach and badly affected by conflict, where help is limited or does not exist. Our field staff and volunteers live in the communities they serve.
Our work began with listening
When we listened to families, we heard how violence and displacement had broken down basic services. Families had little or no access to healthcare, schools, protection, clean water or a way to earn a living, and women and girls carried the heaviest load. We started soon after the 2018 peace agreement, when ordinary citizens had a chance to help their country heal. We chose to be a grassroots movement so that peace reaches the people most easily forgotten, especially women and children.
Our Goal
To help women, youth and communities in South Sudan live dignified, peaceful and strong lives through humanitarian assistance, development work and lasting peace.
What guides us
- Equity and inclusion: Fair treatment for women, girls, people with disabilities and others who are often left out.
- Compassion: Kindness and solidarity, especially in times of crisis.
- Integrity: Honesty, openness and careful use of resources, so that we earn trust.
- Participation and empowerment: Women, youth and communities help plan, decide on and carry out the work.
- Resilience: Helping people recover from shocks and come back stronger.
- Collaboration and partnership: Working with civil society, government, communities and donors to reach further.
- Accountability: Answering to the communities we serve, our partners and our supporters.
- Creativity and innovation: Local ideas and fresh thinking that fit each community.
- Gender sensitivity: Recognising the different needs and strengths of women, men, girls and boys.
Led locally, accountable to the communities weserve
Our Board of Directors guides our strategy and keeps us true to our mission, meeting every quarter and whenever major decisions arise. Our Founder and Executive Director, Martha Nyakueka Reath, leads the organisation and builds our partnerships. Our programme and support team handles planning, delivery, finance, supplies and results, with specialists in gender, child protection, health, education and agriculture. Community mobilisers and volunteers make sure help reaches the last mile, and they keep us present where roads and services are scarce.
Government
We work closely with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, so our work fits national plans and reaches state services.
Local Leaders
Elders, religious leaders, youth and women leaders, and local officials help us win community trust, resolve disputes and defend the rights of women and children.
Volunteers
The backbone of our outreach. They run awareness campaigns, support survivors and help us learn what is working.
Government
We work closely with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, so our work fits national plans and reaches state services.
Local Leaders
Elders, religious leaders, youth and women leaders, and local officials help us win community trust, resolve disputes and defend the rights of women and children.
Volunteers
The backbone of our outreach. They run awareness campaigns, support survivors and help us learn what is working.