Women and girls learning together in a Ugandan community setting

SHELIFT • Strategic Plan 2025—2027

Women and girls building healthier, stronger futures.

We advance health, education, sustainable livelihoods and leadership so women, girls and households can thrive on their own terms.

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01

Health

Accessible care, health education, nutrition and well-being.

02

Education

Literacy, mentorship, practical skills and opportunity.

03

Livelihoods

Enterprise, financial capability and sustainable income.

04

Leadership

Rights, advocacy, participation and gender equity.

A representative Ugandan community organizer holding a notebook
Established in Uganda and shaped by the communities we serve.

Who we are

Creating pathways for women, girls and households to thrive.

SHELIFT was established in Uganda to address the connected barriers that limit access to healthcare, education and economic opportunity.

Inspired by founder Dorah Nakagga's lived experience, our work begins by listening. Programmes are developed with women, girls, households and local partners—not at a distance from them.

Read our purpose

Why we exist

A clear vision. A practical mission.

The SHELIFT Strategic Plan 2025–2027 provides the standard for every programme, partnership and decision.

01Our vision

Where we are headed

Communities where women, girls and households thrive through equitable health, education and sustainable livelihoods.

02Our mission

How we get there

Holistic health services, quality education and economic opportunities that strengthen inclusion, equality and sustainable development.

Our approach

Community-driven, from listen to transform.

Local stakeholders and the people a programme serves are involved at every stage, keeping solutions useful, accountable and built to last.

  1. STEP 1 / 4
    1

    Listen

    Community voices shape the priorities, from the first conversation.

  2. STEP 2 / 4
    2

    Equip

    Knowledge, practical skills and resources turn priorities into action.

  3. STEP 3 / 4
    3

    Connect

    Local services, institutions and partners make support last.

  4. STEP 4 / 4
    4

    Transform

    Communities lead change across health, learning, work and leadership.

Guiding principles

Five commitments shape every programme.

  • 01Community-driven solutions
  • 02Accountability and transparency
  • 03Innovation and adaptability
  • 04Collaboration and partnerships
  • 05Equity and inclusion

What we do

Four pathways to transformation.

Each pathway responds to a strategic priority while recognising that lasting change depends on progress across all four.

Women collaborating in a community livelihoods workshop

Opportunity grows when knowledge, networks and resources meet.

01

Health & well-being

Improving access to maternal and adolescent health, nutrition, mental well-being and community health education.

  • Maternal health
  • Adolescent health
  • Nutrition
  • Community outreach
02

Education & skills

Expanding literacy, vocational learning, mentorship and the skills women and girls need to shape their futures.

  • Literacy
  • Vocational skills
  • Mentorship
  • Learning access
03

Livelihoods & enterprise

Supporting entrepreneurship, financial literacy and pathways to dignified, sustainable income.

  • Enterprise
  • Financial literacy
  • Market access
  • Income generation
04

Rights & leadership

Strengthening voice, participation, advocacy and the leadership of women and girls in community life.

  • Rights
  • Leadership
  • Advocacy
  • Gender equity

The impact chain

Change begins with opportunity.

SHELIFT works holistically: health supports learning, learning opens pathways to income, and economic security strengthens voice and resilient communities.

01HealthCare & well-being
02EducationLearning & skills
03LivelihoodsWork & income
04LeadershipVoice & influence
05Resilient communitiesLasting, inclusive change

Our 2025–2027 ambition

The organisation is establishing baselines and measurable targets across service use, learning participation, income-generating activity and women's leadership. Verified figures will be published as programme monitoring matures.

Leadership & governance

Rooted in community, led with purpose.

SHELIFT combines lived experience with responsible governance, transparent stewardship and a commitment to learning.

DN

Founder & director

Dorah Nakagga

Dorah's vision grew from lived understanding of the barriers women, girls and households face in accessing health, education and economic opportunity. Her leadership keeps community priorities at the centre of SHELIFT's work.

SE

Sendaula Emmanuel

Governance & strategy

ME

Musinguzi Emmanuel

Programmes officer

KC

Kembabazi Constance

Finance & accountability

Get involved

Transformation is stronger together.

Partner with SHELIFT, support a programme or contribute expertise as we strengthen health, education, livelihoods and leadership across Uganda.

Start a partnership

Contact

Let's build this future together.

Whether you are a partner, supporter or simply curious about the work, we would be glad to hear from you.

Emailinfo@she-lift.orgPhone+256 704 176711
HeadquartersPlot 12, Jinja Road
Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda

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