Access to clean water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices is fundamental to a healthy life. However, in Uganda, fewer than 57% of the population have access to even basic sanitation, and nearly 90% of child deaths from diarrhoeal diseases are directly linked to unsafe water, poor sanitation, or inadequate hygiene. These challenges are further compounded by outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola and cholera.

The Josephine Patrick Foundation (JPF) is committed to addressing these issues through its comprehensive WASH Program, which targets rural communities and public gathering places across Northern Uganda.

I. Access to Safe Drinking Water

JPF's clean water initiative extends beyond providing safe water to schools and communities — it also supports broader community access and long-term sustainability.

JPF aims to expand access by constructing additional drilled wells, hand pumps, gravity-fed water systems, and rainwater harvesting structures in water-stressed communities.

II. Sanitation Facilities

Sanitation challenges, particularly the safe disposal of human and solid waste, are a leading cause of waterborne disease outbreaks.

Through these efforts, we aim to minimize the spread of disease and promote healthier environments across all our intervention communities.

III. Hygiene Promotion

Good hygiene practices are essential to the success of water and sanitation efforts.

By promoting better hygiene, JPF helps communities not only to fight existing health issues but also to build resilience against future disease outbreaks.

Why the WASH Program Matters

Water and sanitation-related illnesses like diarrhoea and malaria remain among the top causes of death in children under five. Despite major investments in Uganda's water sector, many rural and urban communities still lack reliable access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.

The Josephine Patrick Foundation is dedicated to bridging this gap — through infrastructure, education, and community empowerment, we're creating sustainable solutions that lead to healthier, more resilient communities.

At the Josephine Patrick Foundation, we believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating lasting change. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream—regardless of their background or circumstances. Our Education Program is rooted in this belief and is dedicated to empowering vulnerable children and youth across Northern Uganda with the tools they need to succeed.

From humble beginnings under a mango tree, our program has grown to support hundreds of learners through pre-primary, primary, and vocational education. We are committed to providing not just academic knowledge, but holistic support that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of every child—ensuring they are well-equipped to thrive both in school and in life.

I. Pre-primary and Primary Education

Education lies at the heart of the Josephine Patrick Foundation. Nearly eight years ago, our founder Benard began teaching songs, prayers, and the alphabet to young children under a mango tree at his mother's compound. With limited resources but a strong conviction, he used his motorbike taxi income to fund educational materials for vulnerable children. What began with a handful of learners has grown into a core program supporting over 500 children from Kindergarten 1 to Primary 7.

JPF's commitment to early education is deeply aligned with the Ugandan government's mission to raise national literacy levels. We believe that every child has the right to quality education, regardless of their background. Our goal is to ensure children in Northern Uganda have more opportunities than their parents had and are empowered to reach their full potential.

To support this, JPF provides:

Research shows that every additional year of primary school increases a girl's future income by 10-20%. Educated girls grow into women who uplift their families and transform communities. At JPF, we are laying that foundation.

II. Vocational Education and Training

Empowering youth with practical skills that lead to employment or entrepreneurship is one of the most impactful ways we support young adults in our community. With high youth unemployment, rising teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse affecting many young people in northern Uganda, vocational training offers a way out—and a way forward.

JPF provides informal tailoring and garment-cutting training, giving both girls and boys hands-on experience and a chance to build their future. Many of our graduates have:

One such example is Apio Sharon, who began practicing under a mango tree at our training site. Orphaned at six and raised by her elderly great-aunt, Sharon enrolled in our skills program with the dream of becoming a tailoring teacher. “Life is very hard,” she said. “I wanted to learn skills that I could use to earn an income.”

At JPF's Vocational Training Centre, over 70% of graduates find or create jobs, empowering not just themselves, but their entire households.

Every child has the right to a safe and nurturing childhood—free from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. At Josephine Patrick Foundation (JPF), we work in close partnership with the Ugandan Government and local NGOs to uphold and advocate for children's rights within the communities we serve.

While child protection is a cross-cutting theme in all our programs, we also run dedicated initiatives aimed specifically at safeguarding children. These include community sensitization on children's rights, parenting programs for caregivers of primary school children, and direct support for at-risk children. Our goal is to ensure every child's safety and well-being.

Whenever possible, JPF works to reintegrate children with their biological or extended families. In more critical cases, we offer short- or long-term care depending on each child's situation. We believe that protecting children is a shared responsibility—whether by advocating for the voiceless, reporting abuse, or partnering with stakeholders implementing child protection initiatives.

I. Family Strengthening

Grounded in the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, JPF believes that the family is the fundamental unit for a child's development. We work with vulnerable families to enhance their capacity to care for and protect their children, preventing family separation whenever possible.

II. Alternative Care

EFor children who cannot live with their families, JPF provides short-term care in safe, nurturing environments. Our alternative care models include:

Support for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

In addition to child-focused initiatives, JPF runs programs that promote the well-being of older adults and individuals living with disabilities. Our services support independent living in the community or institutional settings, including access to palliative care and other essential assistance.

At the heart of JPF's outreach efforts is our Gospel and Worship Crusade—one of the most impactful Christian praise and worship ministries in Lira and across Northern Uganda. Through this initiative, we bring the message of Christ, hope, and life-changing education to thousands of people across the region.

In communities where access to television, internet, and newspapers remains limited, our radio program plays a vital role. It serves as the main source of spiritual nourishment and community education, broadcasting the Word of God daily to households far and wide.

By sharing the Gospel and practical messages of encouragement, our programs foster hope, strengthen families, and help rebuild communities facing ongoing social and economic challenges. Through music, preaching, and community-based engagement, JPF continues to serve as a beacon of light and faith in Northern Uganda.