# Silimulalu Initiative Uganda (SIU)

> Silimulalu Initiative Uganda (SIU) is a community-based, youth-led organisation promoting mental health, emotional wellbeing and reproductive health awareness, so that young people can live happy, confident and healthy lives.

Tagline: Happy Confident Life
Offices in Mukono, Uganda
Focus: youth mental health, emotional wellbeing, stigma reduction, reproductive and menstrual health, and men's wellbeing.
Approach: We go to schools, communities and youth groups. Every program combines talk, action and follow-up, so the impact lasts long after our team has left.

## Vision and mission
- Vision: A society where every individual enjoys sound mental health, makes informed reproductive health decisions and thrives in an inclusive, supportive environment.
- Mission: To promote mental and reproductive health awareness through education, advocacy, community engagement and youth-centred programs that inspire behavioural change and empowerment.

## Program pillars
- [Nurturing Minds Initiative](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/programs/nurturing-minds): We help young people understand themselves, manage pressure and live healthy lives.
  - Mindful Teens: School workshops on self-awareness, empathy, relationships and emotional intelligence, with practical tools for managing stress, exam anxiety and overall mental wellbeing.
  - Grow with Purpose: Sessions on goal setting, identity, values and life planning that help young people decide who they want to become.
  - Wellness Clubs: Community groups that promote good nutrition, sleep and exercise, and explain how each one is linked to mental health.
- [Play For Your Mind](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/programs/play-for-your-mind): We use play as therapy: movement, creativity and culture that help young people heal and connect.
  - Sport for Wellbeing: Football, netball and athletics combined with guided talks on teamwork, resilience and mental health. Art, drama and board games help young people express emotions and build coping skills.
  - Mental Health Festivals: Festivals that invite young people across the region to share relatable mental health stories and experiences, building awareness and connection among peers.
  - Youth Voices on Mental Health: Celebrating Uganda's cultural diversity through theatre, poetry and skits that restore hope and encourage peer-to-peer health education, with a focus on helping young people connect and support one another.
- [Smile Drive](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/programs/smile-drive): We restore dignity through hygiene support and equip young people with the skills that build self-worth.
  - Pad Her, Make Her Smile: Our annual flagship donation campaign. Each year has a new theme and reaches schools and communities with sanitary pads and essential hygiene kits.
  - Dignity Project: Twice-yearly distribution of hygiene kits, scholastic materials, clothes, soap and financial support in schools and shelters, together with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and self-care education. Linked peer groups and workshops cover budgeting, self-management and personal development.
- [Fortify: Men's Wellbeing](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/programs/fortify-mens-wellbeing): A dedicated track that helps young men understand their feelings and shape their actions and decisions.
  - Iron & Wellness Initiative: Men's circles on emotional intelligence, anger management, communication and healthy decision-making, alongside fitness, sport and nutrition programs that connect physical health with mental strength. Activities include football leagues, wellness challenges, "Men Cook Healthy" sessions and health screenings.
  - Lead From Within: Leadership, purpose, financial discipline and mentorship for the next generation of male role models.
  - Annual Mental Health Camp: Leadership bootcamps, career talks and peer accountability groups focusing on goal setting, role-model training for future fathers and mothers, integrity and decision-making.
- [Mind Over Matter Podcast](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/programs/mind-over-matter-podcast): A mobile, interactive storytelling podcast that amplifies real voices and real stories about mental health, resilience and healing.

## Latest articles
- [Young voices take centre stage at our mental health festival](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/young-voices-take-centre-stage-at-our-mental-health-festival): Students from many schools filled the grounds for a day of music, performance and honest conversation about the pressures young people carry.
- [Inside a Mindful Teens session: what students asked us about stress](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/inside-a-mindful-teens-session-what-students-asked-us-about-stress): We spent a morning with a group of secondary school students. Their questions about exams, friendships and the future were thoughtful, honest and sometimes surprising.
- [Smile Drive returns: bringing dignity kits to girls in school](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/smile-drive-returns-bringing-dignity-kits-to-girls-in-school): Our Pad Her, Make Her Smile campaign returned this term with sanitary pads, hygiene kits and open conversations about periods, confidence and self-care.
- [Football, honesty and a safe circle: an afternoon with Fortify](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/football-honesty-and-a-safe-circle-an-afternoon-with-fortify): For many young men, talking about feelings does not come easily. Our Fortify sessions start with football and end with conversations that matter.
- [Women leaders join us for a community dialogue on mental health](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/women-leaders-join-us-for-a-community-dialogue-on-mental-health): Mothers, caregivers and community leaders sat down with our team to talk about how families can recognise and respond to mental health struggles.
- [Five ways to support a friend who is struggling](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/five-ways-to-support-a-friend-who-is-struggling): You do not need to be an expert to make a difference. These simple steps can help you be there for a friend who is going through a hard time.
- [Exam season: a practical guide to looking after your mind](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/exam-season-a-practical-guide-to-looking-after-your-mind): Exams can feel overwhelming. These practical habits, shared in our school workshops, can help you stay calm, focused and well.
- [Mind Over Matter Podcast: recording our next season of real stories](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog/mind-over-matter-podcast-recording-our-next-season-of-real-stories): Our storytelling podcast is heading back out to schools, hospitals and community spaces to record honest conversations about mental health and resilience.

## Key pages
- [About SIU: story, vision, mission, values and journey](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/about)
- [Programs: the five pillars and how we work](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/programs)
- [Community stories shared with consent](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/stories)
- [Founder, leadership and program team](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/team)
- [News, field reports and wellbeing guides](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/blog)
- [Frequently asked questions](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/faq)
- [How to donate (online, MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, bank transfer)](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/donate)
- [Contact, volunteering and partnership enquiries](https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/connect)

## Contact
- Email: silimulauinitiative@gmail.com
- Phone: +256 741 050 140
- WhatsApp: +256 764 450 797

## Important
- Your safety matters deeply to us. We are not able to respond to urgent situations through this website, so if you or someone close to you feels unsafe right now, please visit the nearest health facility or reach out to a trusted health worker, counsellor or loved one as soon as you can. When you feel ready, we would be glad to walk alongside you.
- Website: https://silimulaluinitiativeuganda.org/