WE ARE
New Generation Healing and Empowerment Center
Our mission is to raise educated, respected, informed, Christian teenage mothers who are self-reliant and can take care of their children.
Why do we exist?
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
The Covid-19 induced lockdowns of March 2020 caused a 30% spike in school girls/teenage pregnancies totally over 90,000 alone in Uganda, especially in rural areas, as stated by the Education ministry.
Most of these young girls are the victims of rape and incest by close relatives including uncles, brothers, cousins and even their own fathers. In June of 2021, 1 in 5 households was recorded to have a teen below 18 years of age either has a child or is pregnant.
Mothers all over the world have hopes and dreams for their children and they usually come true. That cannot be said of the child-mothers, ages 15-23, in Northern Uganda. They were forced to face the burden of an unwanted pregnancy. They are not allowed to go to school and finish their education. One mother stated, “A girl who gets pregnant while at school is worthless and has lost her chance to study “. She’s ruined her future.” This is a sentencing to poverty for life. Education is seen as the way out.
Often shamed and told to leave or chased from the family home, these girls carry their psychological and physical trauma, along with their baby on their back.Children themselves, they are sent to the streets.
Meet Betty!
I am a science education scholar, a girl’s education practitioner and advocate for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and youth. I am also known as The Honorable Dr. Betty, a former member of the 7th Ugandan Parliament representing Nebbi District in Northern Uganda 2001-2006. I have obtained a Doctorate in Science Education at Western Michigan University and a Masters of Science in Botany.
I have founded many organizations and companies over the years, some with goals of providing second chance educational opportunities for war-traumatized and AIDS orphans/girls in Northern Uganda.
I now spend my time as the Executive Director of New Generation Healing and Empowerment Center. I dream of these young women becoming champions of change in their communities and nation at large.
I am married to Rev. Can Albert Festus Udongo and together we have 3 adult children.
New Generation Healing and Empowerment Center is Stabilizing, Equipping, Empowering and Developing (S.E.E.D.) these young women by:
- Second chance education through an accelerated learning program so they can join secondary school or other training institutions after sitting for Primary Leaving Examination.
- Vocational training in tailoring, catering, hair dressing hospitality, personal care product development, and child development.
- Attachment development and their babies have been rescued from the streets. An amazing transformation is happening before our eyes. These girls are educated, respected, Christian teen mothers who are now attaching to their children.
- Early childhood development/parenting To provide child-care, early childhood learning and development for the babies of the mothers.
- Biblically-based spiritual training/counseling, discipleship, trauma healing, hope and restoration due to their traumatic sexual violence during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Daily life skills development
- Business development and financial training
- Trauma healing training
These young women are responsible, educated and socially, economically empowered to achieve financial independence through income generating businesses and have a hope and a future for themselves and their now toddlers. (Jer. 29:11)