After months of hard work and tough decision-making, the Amagezi Gemaanyi Youth Association is proud to announce that the organization has officially been certified and accredited as an international non-governmental organization (NGO) by the Republic of Uganda.
"This is a huge step for us," said AGYA Executive Director and Co-Founder, Divinity Barkley. "Though our initiatives are grassroots, we are committed to financial and organizational sustainability because it is the only way that we can solidify our presence in Uganda and make a long-lasting impact."
The NGO certification represents a crucial step on what has been a difficult journey for AGYA, an organization that was founded only 10 months ago. Despite being a young organization, AGYA has already registered more than 200 women and children in the urban communities of Kasubi, Nabulagala, and Lubya. In the next year, the organization is set to strengthen the foundation of its social entrepreneurship ventures as well as potential micro-credit initiatives.
In 2010, AGYA looks forward to forming new partnerships while also fostering its relationship with key partners such as the African Millennium Foundation, the Century City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the University of Southern California (USC) student-group R.A.Y.S.E. - Rise of African Youth through Self-Empowerment, and Point Youth Media, a Canadian-based non-profit that conducts film, media, and photography projects at the AGYA Learning Center in Uganda.
Below, please view photos of the women and children who make up the AGYA Family as they celebrate AGYA's N.G.O. certification!
AGYA Co-Founder, Abraham Matovu and AGYA Volunteer, Jenny Calvert celebrate the NGO status at the AGYA Learning Center in Uganda!
Above: AGYA Girls Participants celebrate the NGO Status!
Below: Members of the AGYA Hip-Hop Crew, "BTH" celebrate the NGO status. The boys, who recently received funding to do 2 studio recording sessions, plan to write a song about the impact AGYA has had on their lives.
Below: Members of the AGYA Hip-Hop Crew, "BTH" celebrate the NGO status. The boys, who recently received funding to do 2 studio recording sessions, plan to write a song about the impact AGYA has had on their lives.
