What we do
Building Skills. Saving Lives. Creating Leaders.
For over a decade, WAO has worked across 9 states to equip women, out-of-school youth, and marginalized communities with the education, protection, and economic power they need to thrive.
Technical & Vocational Training (TVET)
Market-ready skills for independence. We equip out-of-school youth and women with trades like tailoring, solar installation, welding, and carpentry so they can earn and lead.
Education & Literacy
Building foundations for life. We run Alternative Education (AES), adult literacy, and school-building programs to help out-of-school children learn, stay safe, and build a future.
GBV Prevention & Advocacy
Protecting rights, amplifying voices. Through campaigns, radio shows, safe spaces, and legal advocacy, we fight gender-based violence and support survivors with trauma healing.
Economic Empowerment & Livelihoods
Creating independence, one family at a time. We launch businesses through VSLA savings groups, agribusiness, and food production so women and youth can earn sustainably.
Key Projects & Partners
Education & Youth Empowerment (UNICEF & UNESCO)
UNICEF (2016-2020): Education in Emergency focusing on ALP, Peace Building, GBV awareness, Functional Literacy & Numeracy. TVET training in Tailoring, Catering, Computer applications, Electrical/Solar installation, Masonry, Carpentry, Welding, Hairdressing, and Business Skills for out-of-school girls and boys.
UNESCO (Ministry of General Education): TVET consultative workshops to unify policies across 6 states (Yambio, Rumbek, Torit, Abyei, Malakal). Vocational training in Computer applications, Liquid soap making, Bakery, and Electrical engineering for vulnerable women and youth in Juba and Wau.
African Educational Trust (AET) 2015-2016: Adult literacy, Tailoring skills, and Food processing programs.
Gender-Based Violence & Advocacy (UN Agencies)
UN-WOMEN (2021): Enhanced the capacities of service providers in security sector institutions to promote women and girls’ rights in Yei.
UNMISS (2020): “Yes We Can” Campaign.
Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) 2021: Gender and Advocacy women-led consortium in Juba.
Global Fund for Women (2017): Peace-building integrated with GBV and Psychosocial support.
Livelihoods & Food Security (WFP & NPA)
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) 2016-2024: Integrated GBV awareness, peace dialogues, women-friendly spaces, functional literacy, tailoring, catering, VSLA, business skills, and agribusiness targeting women, girls, men, and boys.
World Food Programme (WFP) 2018-2021: Financial literacy, GBV awareness, vegetable production, school feeding programs, face mask production (COVID-19 response), and menstrual hygiene kit distribution to 84 schools in Juba and Wau.
Youth Empowerment & Cross-Sectoral
- Youth Empowerment (2022-2026): Integrated Basic Education, Entrepreneurship, Reproductive Health, Gender & Social Inclusion, and Peacebuilding targeting 10,000 youth in Kapoeta, Budi, Wau, and Jur River counties.
- Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) 2022-2024: Trained 2,260 out-of-school youth in Vocational trades in Western Bahr El Ghazal (Wau).
- Safer World (2021-Present Ongoing): Training 360 women and girls in socio-economic skills in Yei.
- Save the Children (2021): Supporting Effective Humanitarian Partnership (SEHP).
Additional High-Impact Initiatives
- Sally UK: Training women in Restaurant and Bakery skills.
- Cherish Mothers: Trauma healing and training on making reusable sanitary kits.
- Germany Embassy (2015-2016): Tailoring, business skills, and functional literacy for vulnerable women and girls.
Where We Work
We are active in 9 states and one administrative area across South Sudan, bringing hope and opportunity to vulnerable women and out-of-school youth.
Our reach includes:
Central Equatoria (Juba) • Western Bahr El Ghazal (Wau) • Lakes State • Western Equatoria (Yambio) • Jonglei State • Upper Nile State • Unity State • Eastern Equatoria (Kapoeta, Budi) • Abyei Administrative Area