Youth Empowerment & Creative Development Program
Hope of Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW)
Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Guided by this belief, HOCW established the Youth Empowerment & Creative Development Program in January 2016 to support young people living in and around Ndejje, including refugees and host community youth affected by violence, displacement, and exclusion.
The program creates a safe, inclusive space within the HOCW community where young people can share, learn, heal, and grow together, while developing the confidence, skills, and voice needed to participate positively in society.
Program Purpose
The Youth Program aims to:
Build self-confidence, leadership, and life skills among youth
Provide positive alternatives to harmful coping mechanisms
Strengthen social cohesion between refugee and host communities
Support emotional expression, healing, and identity development
Prepare youth for education, livelihoods, and civic engagement
Program Approach
HOCW Youth is youth-led and community-driven, with young people actively shaping activities, peer learning, and leadership roles. The program emphasizes:
Participation and creativity
Peer support and mentorship
Safe expression and psychosocial wellbeing
Inclusion of both girls and boys
Activities are delivered in alignment with HOCW’s safeguarding and protection standards.
Core Activities
Youth engage in a wide range of creative, cultural, and life-skills activities, including:
Drama and theatre
Dance and movement
Comedy and storytelling
Music and performance
Visual arts
Creative writing and spoken word
These platforms allow young people to express experiences, process trauma, build confidence, and develop communication and teamwork skills.
The Youth Program contributes to family and community stability by:
Supporting adolescents as they transition into adulthood
Reducing risks associated with idleness, stress, and exclusion
Strengthening positive identity and leadership capacity
Complementing caregiver-focused economic and protection programs
When youth are engaged, confident, and supported, families are stronger and children are safer.
Protection, Inclusion, and Wellbeing
The program promotes:
Gender equality and respect
Non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution
Inclusion of refugee and host community youth
Emotional wellbeing and positive peer relationships
All activities are delivered within HOCW’s safeguarding framework.
Contribution to Community Resilience
Beyond individual development, HOCW Youth contributes to:
Community awareness and social cohesion
Cultural exchange and mutual understanding
Leadership development for future community initiatives
Youth participants are encouraged to become positive role models and change agents within their communities.
