The founders of Africa’s rising humanitarian and philanthropy organisations Jane Acilo Foundation (JAF) and Thembekile Mandela Foundation have come together to advance Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Africa.
Both foundations – based in Uganda and South Africa, intend to work regardless of miles from each headquarters.
Founded in 2025, JAF has already reached out to thousands in Oyam district – with the April 21, 2026, dialogue meeting with hundreds of AGYW from Oyam town council proving why they exist.
The dialogue, held in partnership with Thembekile Mandela Foundation, looked into the understanding of the current situation on SRHR, challenges and action plans.
Facilitated by Sidonia Akello, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Focal Person for Oyam, the dialogue was also attended by the district health officer, chief administrative officer, Jane Frances Acilo, founder and CEO of JAT and a delegation from South Africa led by Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of the late President Nelson Mandela and founder of Thembekile Mandela Foundation.
Sidonia urged dialogue participants, especially AGYW, to visit health centres immediately if they notice signs of unplanned abortion. She said there is a circumstance where abortion is unplanned.
“Do not go late for medical support, it might be costly. Post abortion care is free at health facilities,” she said.
Post abortion care services, Sidonia announced, are available at youth corners at health facilities. She, however, stated that due to funding gaps, personnel are not enough to handle adolescent cases.
She also encouraged young women and adolescent girls to take care of their personal hygiene to deal with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
STIs, she said, can lead to infertility. She urged child spacing to allow healthy growth and continued antenatal care for expectant women.
Ayoo Sandra Jane, one of the participants, applauded the two foundations for holding the interactive dialogue on issues affecting their health.
She attributed teen pregnancy to poverty and lack of knowledge about sex before reaching 18 years.
At health facilities, Ayoo is requesting “youth-friendly corners where health and youth-related concerns are addressed.”
She wants health workers to be “free with the youth”, adding that some adolescents fear sharing their problems with “elderly health workers.”
Prisca Amongi, another participant, advised her peers against spreading diseases once they test positive. “There is this habit of saying ‘whose mother should be crying?’ This is bad,” she said. “You will acquire a more deadly disease than what you have. Learn to go to a health facility for care.”
Dr Thomas Malinga, the DHO of Oyam applauded the two foundations for their intervention and partnership to fill the gaps.
“We are happy that we have got another partnership and this partnership is targeting one of the programs – the minimum healthcare package – that is adolescent, sexual reproductive health.
He said many things affect adolescents – one of them is teenage pregnancies, school dropout and all those other issues mentioned at the dialogue.
Dr Malinga said the support is there – urging the adolescent to “seek the support”, adding that “we need to engage in a healthy relationship.”
“Remember, your health and well-being should be a priority for everyone. You must be able to say “no” and also ask questions. We shall listen to your problems,” said the DHO.
Joel Ojedra, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Oyam, applauded the organisers for carefully selecting the age bracket for the dialogue.
“To JAT, this intervention is good and we pray it continues.”
The Oyam town council’s issues presented and discussed at the dialogue, the deputy CAO said, are the same in Loro town council, Minakulu, and Kamdini. “Kamdini might be worse. So, therefore, this Jane Acilo Foundation will do more for us.”
“You are responsible for your life, not your father, mother,” Ojedra told adolescent participants.
On her part, Jane Frances Acilo said the Thembekile Mandela Foundation was in Oyam district to see the work JAT is doing.
The two foundations signed an MoU on April 23 in Kampala in what Acilo said would be the beginning of the work they are going to do in Uganda and South Africa.
Ndileka Mandela said JAF aligns with what they do as the Thembekile Mandela Foundation. JAT, she said, deals with rural girls and women which is the same with their program – the Pride of Rural Girls.
“We align in a lot of ways that is why we decided to partner with them more than just giving her (Jane Frances Acilo) the Mandela Commission Award in South Africa for the good work she’s doing.”
On the partnership length, Ndileka responded: “Well, as long as God gives us strength, as long as we can support…the programmes need support and for as long we get the financial support, for as long as there are girls that fall prey to gender based violence, there is teenage pregnancies, drop out from schools, those issues with HIV, we will always be partners.”
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.