Our Expertise

With over 11 years of experience, Somero Uganda is a leader in advocating for children and young people to meaningfully participate in matters affecting them. Our focus is on combating child labor, violence against children, and trafficking through effective advocacy and empowerment initiatives.

Proven Advocacy Impact

We have successfully implemented advocacy projects such as Powering National Advocacy Actions for Child Labor and Getting Children Out of Child Labor through SCREAM. Our participation in the Joining Forces Initiative has strengthened collective efforts to protect children’s rights and end violence against them.

Global and National Engagement

As an active member of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labor (NSC-ECL) and international alliances like Alliance 8.7 and the Commonwealth Alliance 8.7, we integrate global best practices into local advocacy, amplifying the voices of children and youth on national and international platforms.we have supported children to engage in international forums and present issues on behalf of others.

Child-Led Advocacy and Research

We championed  child-led advocacy methodologies, including SCREAM, Team Up, and Child-Friendly Accountability, empowering children and youth to participate in decision-making and advocate for their rights. These approaches ensure that the voices of survivors and young advocates shape our interventions and create lasting impact.

We have empowered children with skills and knowledge on evidence based advocacy and this has strengthened their capacity and knowledge to present issues barked up with evidence generated by them

WHAT WE CONSIDER AS CHILD PARTICIPATION

• Participation is about giving children the opportunity to express a view, to influence decisions and to achieve change.
• Participation needs to be informed and willing, in any matter concerning them directly or indirectly, including girls and boys of different ages and abilities and the most marginalized.
• It is both a way of working and an essential principle cutting across all contexts. It can occur in many arenas including: the home, school, community, and government. It likewise takes place at the local, national, regional and international levels.

WHY CHILDREN PARTICIPATE

• They have the RIGHT to campaign and influence change .
• They UNDERSTAND matters that affect them .
• They WANT to engage
• Things CHANGE when they  act or talk
• They are ACTORS in their own development, not passive recipients
• They help DELIVER BETTER DECISIONS on matters that concerns – more relevant, better solutions

THE IMPACT IN CHILD PARTICIPATION

We have empowered over 2000 children over the years to actively participate in matters concerning them locally,nationally and internationally

• We have empowered over 2000 children over the years to actively participate in matters concerning them locally,nationally and internationally
• We  have build  capacity of 900 stakeholders on meaningful child participation and involvement .
• We have worked with over 100 schools in which we have strengthened and activated their power of children through their clubs
• We have strengthened child protection mechanisms and linked them to child advocates for easy referral and response to identified cases .

Our stories

From Gold Mines to Global Advocacy: Daphne’s Journey to Empowerment

Daphne, a 17-year-old former child laborer from Tiira village, a gold mining community in Busia District, Uganda, has defied the odds to become a leading child advocate.

Her struggles began early. At just seven years old, Daphne was introduced to gold mining to help support her family. She spent long hours carrying heavy loads, sorting stones, and cleaning mining tools—often missing school in the process. “I hated the work, but I had no choice. If I didn’t go to the mines, there would be no money for my school fees,” she recalls.

Her education was further disrupted when COVID-19 led to a two-year school closure, leaving her without access to learning materials. However, rather than accept defeat, Daphne turned her struggles into an opportunity to help others. With support from Somero Uganda, she reached out to fellow children in her community, leading to the creation of the “Nyumba Kumi Educational Groups”—a project that provided continuing education for out-of-school children. The initiative aimed to keep children engaged in learning and motivated to return to school when they reopened or equip them with livelihood skills to avoid exploitation.

Following the launch of Nyumba Kumi, Daphne was entrusted with mobilizing fellow children and forming study groups with the help of teachers and caseworkers. Leveraging her expertise in child protection, children’s rights, and violence prevention, she facilitated mentorship sessions on leadership, self-esteem, and the importance of education.

Her advocacy did not go unnoticed. In August 2022, Daphne was selected to represent children at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where she addressed global leaders on child and youth rights. She also spoke at the Laureates and Leaders for Children event—an initiative bringing together royal leaders and child rights advocates—held alongside the UNGA from September 19-21, 2022.

Today, Daphne is thriving. She is a student at St. John’s SS Mukono, where she serves as the Information Prefect and Vice Chairperson of the Debating Club. During holidays, she leads her community’s child rights club, mentoring children at risk of child labor.

“I used to admire my friends in boarding school, wishing I could be like them. Now, my parents understand the importance of educating a girl. Somero’s programs boosted my confidence and gave me a voice.”

Daphne dreams of becoming a lawyer, using her experience to fight for children’s rights.

“I want to see Tiira become a child labor-free community. I believe my advocacy will change lives.”

Her story is a testament to the power of education, empowerment, and resilience. From child laborer to global advocate, Daphne has transformed her struggles into a force for change—helping children in her community and beyond.