About Us
OUR STORY
Alito Sub County in Kole District has been grappling with a serious issue: a high rate of teenage pregnancy, with a significant number of antenatal care attendees being teenagers. The area also suffers from rampant child marriage and high school dropout rates. This is a stark contrast to over 40 years ago when schools in the sub county, like Abim Primary School, produced students with outstanding grades who went on to achieve great success in their careers. Today, these same schools struggle to produce students with good grades, and children in Primary 4 barely have verbal proficiency.
This decline can be traced back to the devastating impact of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, which tore through Northern Uganda, including Kole District. The war, led by Joseph Kony, shattered the social and cultural fabric of the region, uprooting traditional values and disrupting the education system. Schools were destroyed or abandoned, and many children were forced to drop out or flee into hiding. As a result, a generation of youth grew up in the shadow of conflict, with little access to quality education or stable home environments. The war left scars that still affect the community today, including widespread poverty, trauma, and a breakdown of social structures.
Witnessing this decline firsthand, two siblings, deeply connected to the community and one of whom is an alumnus of Abim Primary School, decided they couldn’t stand by and watch. Driven by a sense of responsibility and a desire to restore the community’s former glory, they envisioned a way to make a difference. They recognized that empowering and encouraging the learners wasn’t enough; they also needed to support parents, teachers, and the youth to rebuild their communities together.
With this vision in mind, the siblings set up a community bookshelf in their parents’ home. This space became a hub for learners to access educational materials, play board games, and spend a few hours on weekends constructively reading together. The bookshelf was more than just a collection of books; it was a symbol of hope and a step toward changing the narrative in their community.
This grassroots initiative eventually grew into the Meraki Action Initiative, an organization committed to providing equitable health services for adolescents and ensuring inclusive, quality education through community participation and youth involvement. The siblings’ personal journey and commitment to their community laid the foundation for Meraki’s mission to drive positive change in Alito Sub County and the Lango sub-region as a whole.
OUR VISION AND MISSION
OUR VISION
A transformed vibrant youthful population that has increased access to quality education, comprehensive healthcare, and equitable opportunities.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to advance quality and inclusive education and ensure accessible healthcare.
OUR CORE VALUES
- Honesty and Humility
- Foster human dignity.
- Transparency and accountability.
- Compassion
- Care for Nature
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
- Increase access to inclusive and equitable education.
- Offer holistic sexuality education to adolescents and youth.
- Protect and Empower adolescents and youth.
partnerships
Collaborate with like-minded organizations to deliver quality and equitable services transparently.
research and innovation
Prioritize research and innovation to create lasting impacts in education and health through evidence-based interventions.
Community Participation
Empower communities to identify needs, propose solutions, and drive positive change through inclusive and participatory approaches.
Youth involvement
Engage youth in strategic efforts to harness their energy, creativity, and passion for fostering a just, equitable, and sustainable society.
Transforming Gender Norms
Conduct awareness campaigns and training programs to address gender and power imbalances.
School outreach
Engage with learners and teachers on career development, life skills, menstrual health hygiene, and the value of education, with inspiration from alumni.
Adult literacy and vocational skilling
Provide literacy and vocational training programs specifically designed for emancipated minors to equip them with essential skills for self-sufficiency and personal growth.
MEET THE TEAM
Meet the passionate and dedicated team behind the Meraki Action Initiative (MAI). Our team is committed to empowering communities through education, healthcare, and sustainable development. Each member brings unique skills and a shared vision for creating lasting positive change. Together, we work to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
OKELLO BRENDAH
Brendah is a dedicated and experienced reproductive health enthusiast. She has successfully led numerous initiatives to improve the health and well-being of women, adolescents and young people in national and international refugee settlements.
Her expertise in project management, combined with her passion for mentorship, has empowered many women, adolescents, and youths to make informed decisions about their health and future.
Brendah’s resilience and extensive experience working in hard-to-reach areas underscores her commitment to promoting health equity and education, driving positive change in communities. She brings in a wealth of 14 years of experience in global health, serving within Uganda and South Sudan.
Dr.OKELLO JAMES
Holds Master’s degree of medicine in obstetrics and gynecology from Mbarara University school of science and technology and a bachelor’s of medicine and surgery .Dr. James is passionate and committed in providing healthcare to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. He is also a sexual reproductive care trainer, regional mentor and coach in reproductive maternal newborn, child and adolescent health care services. (RMNCAH) and currently serving as an obstetrician-gynecologist of ministry of health Uganda-based in lira regional referral hospital-Northern Uganda. Dr.James is a Sexual reproductive health trainer (SRHR)-CIRTH project at Lira University and a Fistula care team member-Mbarara.
He is the vice chair scientific research and grants committee-Lira regional referral hospital and a team member of SICRA-Strengthening institutional capacity for research activities-SICRA project at Lira regional referral hospital, Northern Uganda..
Dr. James is a co-author in already published research entitled-Female controlled dual protection method prevalence ,predictors ,experience and perceptions among young women living with HIV in Northern Uganda-published in PLOS one journal volume 18,issue 10 on 9/10/2023.
Fr. NICHOLAS SSEGGOBE KIRUMA, (PhD)
Founder and Executive Director of E-Cubed Educational Consultancy Ltd and Bazze Martyrs Enterprise. E-Cubed aims to excite, engage, and empower all actors in the educational enterprise for greater educational attainment of learners at all levels of education. Bazze Martyrs Enterprise seeks to popularize the Uganda Martyrs and to inspire Christians to ‘Be More and Do More’ in their lives as disciples and witnesses of Christ in the contemporary world.
Fr. Nicholas’ expertise is in educational leadership and educational policy. His academic scholarship and research interests are in the following educational areas: science education, pedagogy, and andragogy; administration, management, and leadership; policy initiatives, policy analysis, and policy diffusion. Fr. Nicholas is the author of a book entitled Redesigning School Inspection for 21st Century Schools: transforming Schooling in Uganda. Fr. Nicholas is also a Co-Founding Director of the International Institute of African Studies Ireland (IIASI).
JOLLY AKAO
Jolly Akao, a Development Studies graduate from Uganda Christian University, has over ten years of experience in community empowerment programs. Her career is marked by a strong commitment to improving lives, particularly those of children, through sustainable development initiatives.
As a Program Advisor at Stromme Foundation, Jolly designs and implements impactful community programs focusing on education and economic development. Her ability to connect with people and develop tailored solutions has brought hope and opportunity to many underserved areas.
Jolly’s dedication to service is a personal value that drives her work, inspiring others and fostering long-term growth in the communities she serves.
ANTHONY ANGIRO
Anthony Angiro a graduate of Bachelors of Science degree from Makerere University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Kyambogo University is an accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience both in the private and government sectors currently stationed at St Thomas Moor Senior Secondary School, Omoro district. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership not only in the institutions he has taught in heading departments in Physics, Mathematics, Games and Sports. His impact extends beyond the classroom, providing career guidance to learners, an effort of which has seen learners qualify in medicine, engineering, education etcetera. His dedication to educational excellence highlights his significant role in shaping the future of education in Uganda.
Mbabazi Barbra
Barbra is a proficient finance manager with over 12 years of experience in financial markets. Currently serving as a finance manager with simplify Networks limited, Uganda. She has relevant qualifications and experience in the fields of accounting, Finance (receivable and payables, management accounts, financial accounts, budget forecasts, and preparation of books of accounts for intended users, general audit and Tax experience in Uganda.
ALUM BETTY JOAN
Joan holds dual graduate degrees in Business Administration from Uganda Martyrs University and Public Administration from Uganda Management Institute. With a rich professional background spanning 17 years, she has accrued extensive experience in administration, programming, budgeting, and customer care services. Her exceptional integrity, effective communication abilities, adept conflict resolution skills, and profound empathy have consistently facilitated her successful interactions and service delivery to the broader community.
At MAI, Joan is a highly valued asset, bringing invaluable contributions to our organization. Her proficiency in gathering feedback and fostering a cohesive organizational culture is particularly noteworthy. We are delighted to have Joan to our team.
Mukasa Balikuddembe Joseph
Joseph holds a Master’s degree in Management Studies (M&E) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Management Institute, along with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Makerere University, Kampala. He has extensive experience in accounting, finance, business management, tax administration, and project monitoring and evaluation. Joseph excels in cost management, cash flow management, budgeting, and auditing, and has strong analytical and critical thinking skills for evidence-based decision-making. His excellent communication and managerial skills enhance his ability to manage finance and administration functions, evaluate project performance, and resolve conflicts.