SHE SOARS

SHE SOARS (Supporting Out-of-School Adolescent Girls’ Rights and Skills)

In communities across East Africa, a transformative seven-year initiative is proving that when you invest in an out-of-school adolescent girl, you invest in the future of her entire community. Welcome to the SHE SOARS (Supporting Out-of-School Adolescent Girls’ Rights and Skills) project—a holistic model that intertwines health, economic empowerment, and advocacy to create lasting change.

Launched in 2021 with support from the Government of Canada through CARE International in Uganda, SHE SOARS operates across Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. It tackles the unique, intersecting challenges faced by out-of-school adolescents aged 10–19, with a dedicated focus on girls who are often most marginalized.

In Uganda, this mission is driven by a powerful consortium of local experts: Reach Out Mbuya in Kampala, Fund Trust Agency in Terego, and Restless Development alongside the Naguru Teenage Centre (NTC) in Arua City and Madi-Okollo. This collaborative force ensures that interventions are deeply rooted in the community context.

Our Holistic, Three-Pillar Approach

Increasing Equitable Access: We deliver age-appropriate, adolescent-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) information and services, directly reaching girls where they are.
Strengthening Responsive Systems: We work to transform health systems to be more gender- and adolescent-responsive, training providers and improving infrastructure to be inclusive and welcoming.
Amplifying Youth Voice in Advocacy: We enhance the capacity of youth, rights organizations, and stakeholders to advocate for accountable, evidence-based ASRHR policies and services, ensuring young people have a seat at the decision-making table.

Building Skills, Health, and Economic Resilience: The project’s integrated model is where theory meets transformative practice. We don’t just talk about rights; we build the skills to claim them.

Health & Choice

Over 9,600 adolescents in Uganda have accessed vital ASRHR information, leading to measurable improvements like increased HIV testing among boys and greater uptake of family planning among teenage mothers.

Economic Power

Adolescents are equipped with practical vocational skills and supported through strengthened Youth Savings and Loans Associations (YSLAs), building a foundation for financial independence.

Community & System Change

The project invests in people—healthcare providers, peer educators, and community-based trainers are all upskilled to become better supporters and mentors.

Success rates

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