For over sixteen years, the Ntenjeru Orphan Support Program (NOSP), with support from the Stephen Lewis Foundation – Canada, has been transforming lives in Mukono South Constituency, Uganda. What began as a focused response to families affected and infected by HIV/AIDS has grown into a comprehensive community empowerment initiative that now serves all vulnerable households. NOSP’s mission is to scale up care and support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), helping them and their caregivers build self-sustaining, resilient livelihoods.
A cornerstone of NOSP’s work is promoting psychosocial well-being and reducing HIV-related stigma. Through regular home visits, counselling, and community dialogues, the program provides emotional and mental health support to children and caregivers who have been impacted by the virus. These efforts have restored dignity, strengthened family bonds, and inspired hope in communities once burdened by fear and discrimination.
Education remains a central pillar of NOSP’s vision. The program currently supports 60 orphans and vulnerable children with school fees, scholastic materials, and mentorship in both public and private schools. To complement academic growth, NOSP operates 21 Community-Based Artisan Mentorship Centers, where young people learn trades such as tailoring, motor vehicle mechanics, welding, and hairdressing. Each graduate completes a one-year apprenticeship and receives a start-up toolkit, paving the way toward independence and self-reliance.
In addition to education and training, NOSP invests heavily in agriculture and nutrition as pathways to sustainable livelihoods. Through its Organic Farming and Heifer & Goat Programme, families receive livestock and agricultural training in vegetable gardening and organic farming. Cooking demonstrations further empower caregivers to prepare nutritious meals, improving household health and food security across communities.
Today, NOSP stands as a beacon of hope and progress in Mukono District. By integrating health, education, and economic empowerment, the program continues to strengthen the capacity of families to rise above vulnerability. Its sixteen-year legacy is a powerful reminder that when compassion meets opportunity, communities can thrive and futures can be transformed.
