For over sixteen years, the Ntenjeru Orphan Support Program (NOSP), supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation – Canada, has been making a real difference in Mukono South Constituency, Uganda.
What started as a helping hand for families affected by HIV/AIDS has blossomed into a comprehensive program that now supports all vulnerable households. NOSP’s goal is to give orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) and their caregivers the tools they need to build strong, self-sufficient lives.
A key part of NOSP’s work is helping people feel better emotionally and reducing the stigma around HIV. Through regular home visits, counseling, and community discussions, the program offers emotional and mental health support to children and caregivers who have been touched by the virus. These efforts have helped restore dignity, strengthen families, and bring hope to communities once weighed down by fear and discrimination.
Education is also a top priority for NOSP. The program currently helps 60 orphans and vulnerable children with school fees, supplies, and mentorship in both public and private schools. To boost their skills, NOSP runs 21 Community-Based Artisan Mentorship Centers. Here, young people learn trades like tailoring, mechanics, welding, and hairdressing. Each graduate completes a one-year apprenticeship and receives a starter kit, helping them become independent and self-reliant.
Beyond education and training, NOSP invests in agriculture and nutrition to build sustainable livelihoods. Through its Organic Farming and Heifer & Goat Programme, families receive livestock and training in vegetable gardening and organic farming. Cooking demonstrations teach caregivers how to prepare nutritious meals, improving health and food security for the whole community.
Today, NOSP is a symbol of hope and progress in Mukono District. By combining health, education, and economic empowerment, the program continues to strengthen families and help them overcome challenges. Its sixteen-year history is a powerful example of how compassion and opportunity can transform communities and create brighter futures.
