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About Us

We Empower Women to End Poverty

We are a registered non-profit organization located in Ibanda District, Uganda with focus on empowering women to save this world, one day at a time! 


We are inspired by the great work of Marianne Martin, a US Peace Corps volunteer until 2014. At age 67, she came to serve in Uganda. While here, she worked hard to assist in skilling initiatives for girls and to empower women. Therefore, we named our foundation after Marianne in hopes that this organization will go on to transform women throughout our community. 


Marianne Foundation aims to help women who face an array of development challenges such as gender-based violence, lack of education (quality, access, dropout rates, retention), corruption, maternal mortality, and lack of economic autonomy, among others.


Through our program areas, our goal is to facilitate capacity building for women in our community utilizing local relationships and local resources.

Photo of the outside of the old MFYD office and skills center located in Ibanda, Uganda.

Our Mission and Vision

Mission

To empower rural youth and women to lead their communities in innovating appropriate solutions to their own challenges through mobilization, training, and expedient partnership development. 

Vision

Marianne Foundation for Youth Development envisions “an economically independent community sustaining itself through utilization and conservation of its own resources”.

Marianne Foundation has a new location!

    About our new location

    The previous boarding location, within Ibanda town, could no longer suit the growing needs of the organization. Therefore, we have moved to a new location along Bugarama - Ishongororo Highway!


    Features of the new location include a larger girls dorm, an expanded skilling center, a women’s tea room, accommodations for international volunteers, a craft shop, water and electricity connections, and staff offices. 


    We are grateful to all of our partners thus far who have helped make this dream a reality. If you are interested in supporting the Marianne Foundation and the empowerment of women, please donate using our safe, secure donation link so that the money goes directly to the Foundation:

    Donate today!

    Our Core Values

    Diversity

    Transparency

    Transparency

    We acknowledge the social, cultural and sexual uniqueness of each and every woman, and we value the responsibility to recognize the diverse and unique pathways of each individual towards greater equality.

    Transparency

    Transparency

    Transparency

    We will proactively provide all information needed for collaboration, cooperation, and collective decision making. We are committed to fostering a culture of free and open exchange whereby the rules and reasons behind regulatory measures are fair and clear.

    Respect

    Transparency

    Respect

    We recognize women as the best decision makers for themselves and their children. We admire and value every woman we serve and will show them respect at every interaction. We will ensure our programs are inclusive and free of judgement.

    Equity

    Accountability

    Respect

    Equity is not only important for women, it is good for all of us. Women’s equity ensures a more peaceful and prosperous society for women, men and children. It is everyone's responsibility to participate in furthering the equity of all. 

    Advocacy

    Accountability

    Accountability

    The movement towards equality requires social change. We are committed to identifying barriers to women’s equality and advocating for change within our communities. 

    Accountability

    Accountability

    Accountability

    We are dedicated to sustainability as an organization, by ensuring that our resources are well invested and that our processes are cost efficient. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of accountability. 

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