ABOUT ASSA
Every Woman Empowered. Every Girl Safe.
Every Child Protected.
Every Life Restored.
Our Origin Story
Our story began in 2021, in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Uganda, when sixteen refugee young girls and women came together with a shared dream. We had all experienced displacement, loss, and inequality after fleeing conflict in our home countries, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo. We arrived in the refugee settlement with nothing but our lives. All of us carried pain, responsibility, and unanswered questions about the future.
Life in the refugee settlement was not easy. Poverty was everywhere. Many children could not attend school because families could not afford school materials. Girls missed classes because they lacked sanitary materials. Young mothers struggled to provide food, care, and protection for their children. As women, we saw these challenges every day because we lived them ourselves.
We also witnessed pain face to face. We saw girls and women experiencing gender-based violence, often in silence. We saw girls unable to afford sanitary materials, forcing them to miss school and feel ashamed. We saw early pregnancies and child marriage becoming more common, taking away childhood and limiting girls’ futures. These realities were not stories we heard — they were lives we lived alongside. Seeing this suffering pushed us to act. We decided to stand, to be the helping hand and the voice for those who had lost hope
Instead of giving up, we chose unity. We supported one another emotionally, shared ideas, and talked about how we could help our community, even with very limited resources. From this sisterhood, the Ambitious Solidarity Sisters Association (ASSA) was born. ASSA was created by refugees, for refugees. We believed that change could start from within our own community.
Our mission has always been clear: to empower refugee girlswomen, youth, and children through education, dignity, and community-led support. We focus especially on girls and child mothers, because we know that when a girl is supported, a whole family benefits. Education is at the heart of our work, because we believe strongly that education cannot wait.
ASSA is a volunteer-led organization. We are part of the community we serve. We understand hunger, trauma, and loss because we have lived through them. We work closely with families to support children to stay in school, provide basic learning and hygiene materials, and raise awareness about the importance of education and protection for refugee children.
Over time, ASSA has grown beyond a small group of women. Today, we are a voice for refugee resilience. Our story shows that refugees are not only victims of crisis, but also leaders, organizers, and changemakers. Even in the hardest conditions, we continue to stand together, turning struggle into strength.
Today, ASSA stands as proof that hope can grow even in the most difficult places. We continue to work so that refugee women can lead with confidence, children can learn with dignity, and families can dream again, learn again, and live again.
“We stand for humanity — for those forgotten, for those who rise again.”
OUR VISION
A world where refugee women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities live in dignity, safety, and self-reliance, fully participating in the development of their communities.
OUR MISSION
To empower refugee women, youth, and children to reach their full potential through education, livelihoods, and gender equality initiatives that promote inclusion, dignity, and sustainable community development.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are committed to creating opportunities for refugee women, youth, and children to thrive and succeed. ASSA stands out because we are led by the very people we serve — women who have lived the challenges of displacement and turned them into a vision of empowerment. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide training, mentorship, and advocacy that help build independence, equality, and lasting transformation. Together, we are proving that change begins when women lead with courage and compassion. Our strength lies in our unity, our compassion, and our shared belief that no one should be left behind.
Our Work
“Standing for humanity, changing lives.”
ASSA’s work is driven by the realities we live and the hope we share. We design and implement programs that address the urgent needs of refugee women, and youth. Our work at ASSA goes beyond empowerment, it’s about restoring hope and humanity. We focus on:
01
Child Protection & Education – ensuring every child learns, plays, and grows in safety.
02
Women & Youth Empowerment – nurturing leadership, skills, and confidence for self-reliance.
03
Livelihood & Vocational Skills – promoting financial independence and practical skills.
04
Gender Equality & GBV Prevention – standing up for safety, rights, and inclusion
05
Community Service & Humanitarian Response – offering emergency relief, especially to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and newly arrived refugees in crisis.
06
Sexual Reproductive health, rights and Menstrual hygiene
Meet our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
...
Executive Director
PERUTH UWIRINGIYE
As a humanitarian and advocate for women’s empowerment, I strive to inspire change, build resilience, and open doors of opportunity for refugees and vulnerable groups
Programs Manager
ZAWADI TUYISHIME
I’m a wife, a mother of three, and a passionate advocate for women and youth. As Program Manager, I strive to create opportunities that bring hope, strength, and lasting change to refugee families.
Assistant Program Manager
GISELE MUSIMENTA
Living in the community I serve inspires me to work with passion and care for lasting change, and I’m proud to serve my people every day with dedication and hope where it matters most. Together we can change lives of women, young girls and boys.
Secretary
GISELE FAIDA CLAUDINE
I’m passionate about helping families and children reach their potential. With experience in Child care and the Graduating to Resilience program, I use my secretarial skills to support our team and ensure our work touches lives in a positive way.
Accountant
SIFA JOSELINE
I love knowing that my work helps others. As Accountant, I ensure that our finances are well managed so that every resource brings hope and impact to the community we serve.
Child Protection Officer
MELISSA MUJAWIMANA
I hold a background in early childhood education, and I’m deeply committed to protecting and empowering children to live safe and happy lives.
Finance Manager
ISAAC KANYAMAHORO
I believe that true impact begins with honesty and proper financial management. With my experience in finance and budgeting, I make sure every donation brings real change to those who need it most. My data collection experience has enabled me ubderstand that every one matter and dignity of refugees should be priotized in all aspects.
Team Advisor
HERMAN NGEENDAHIMANA
I am a gender and youth activist, passionate about equality and fighting poverty for all. As the oldest member of the team, I bring experience, guidance, and encouragement to the younger generation. I’m a proud husband and father who believes that lasting change begins with compassion and teamwork.
Livelihood Officer
JIMMY BOLINGO
I love empowering people to become self-reliant and confident. As Livelihood Officer, I help women and youth discover their potential and create sustainable ways to support themselves and their families.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
BAHATI ENOKA
I am passionate about learning from our work and ensuring that every effort truly changes lives. I track our progress, listen to community voices, and make sure our programs bring real impact and hope to the people we serve. The greatest joy I ever get is when I see someone positively impacted because I have contributed to their sucess.
Protection Manager
ELIZABETH BARAKA
My heart is in protecting those who cannot protect themselves. As Protection Officer, I strive to promote safety, respect, and hope for women, youth, and families facing challenges in our community. As a mother of two, I value better childhood experience and a non violent home and society.
Gender and Youth Officer
BAHATI DANIEL
As a youth, I believe that we young eople have the potential to bring about socioeconomic impact. Therefore I am a youth advocate, and I love working with women and youth, helping them grow in confidence and opportunity. I believe equality and empowerment can change lives.
OUR IMPACT
WHY US
We focus on empowering women and girls, especially child-mothers, youth, children, and people with disabilities. Through psychosocial support and community-based programs, we help them believe in themselves and become key drivers of change in their own lives and communities.
With 90% of our leadership made up of women, our organization is deeply rooted in the community we serve. We live here, we understand the struggles, and that makes us more approachable, trusted, and effective in reaching those who need us most.
Our strength lies in our closeness to the people — we don’t just support the community; we are part of it.
OUR PARTNERS
Tree Beard Trust
