Preparing Women and Girls With Mental Wellness Tools For Sustainable LivesFuturesSuccess
We are a proud grassroots organization empowering women to transform their lives, families, and communities—starting with their mental resilience.
About AWAGO
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities
At AWAGO, we empower women and girls in Uganda through education, mental health support, and vocational training. Our holistic approach fosters resilience, self-reliance, and community transformation, helping them lead independent and fulfilling lives. By prioritizing mental well-being, we equip women with the tools to overcome challenges and drive lasting change in their families and communities.
Champions of Change
Meet the Heart Behind AWAGO
Each member of our team plays a vital role in turning our vision into reality, fostering resilience, and creating lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Vision
Design solutions by collaborating with partners that measurably impact thousands of women in Uganda across Africa each year.
Guiding Every Step
Our Values
The foundation of our mission to uplift and empower women and girls. These guiding principles ensure that our work is impactful, sustainable, and community-centered, driving positive change across Uganda.
Empowerment
We believe in the power of women and girls to change their own lives, communities, and the world.
Community-Driven Change
Our work is led by and for the people we serve, ensuring that our programs meet the specific needs of Ugandan communities.
Sustainability
We prioritize long-term impact, providing women and girls with skills and knowledge that will continue to serve them for years to come.
Integrity
We are committed to transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in all that we do.
Resilience
Through mental well-being practices and holistic support, we help women and girls overcome challenges and build lasting resilience.
Why Partner with AWAGO+?
We proudly partner with schools, NGOs, and community organizations dedicated to supporting at-risk women and girls, with a primary focus on Uganda and Africa.

Maximize Impact
Join forces with AWAGO to expand the reach of mental health, education, and economic empowerment programs.

Leverage Resources
Collaborate to optimize outcomes through shared expertise and strategic alignment.

Drive Community Innovation
Work with us to design programs that address the evolving needs of women and girls.
AWAGO+ Partnerships
Collaborating for Greater Impact
At AWAGO, we believe that lasting change happens through collaboration. AWAGO+ invites like-minded organizations, corporations, and community groups to partner with us in empowering women and girls across Uganda. Together, we can amplify our impact, transform lives, and build resilient communities.
Meet Our Current Partner
CARE International
Together with CARE International, we are addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through mental health support, economic empowerment, and advocacy for social justice. Explore how our partnership transforms survivors into changemakers and builds communities rooted in equity and dignity.

Mental Well-being Services
We provide psychosocial support and TM to build resilience and reduce stress, helping women and girls lead balanced lives.
Heal the Healers
Supporting caregivers with TM, workshops, and peer support to manage stress and enhance their care for others.
Education
Offering scholarships, mentorship, and learning hubs to ensure girls continue their education, even during disruptions.
Transforming Lives
Vocational training in skills like tailoring and entrepreneurship empowers women to start businesses and gain financial independence.
Explore More
Learn how AWAGO empowers women through mental well-being, education, and entrepreneurship.
Blog & Articles
Latest Articles
Protected: Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!
May 11th, 2021 marked 10 years since the inception of AWAGO in Uganda...
Finding Peace during Times of Stress
The pandemic has caused immense stress on healthcare systems around the world. And..
Lead the way Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala!
This is a BIG moment for African women. Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman..
Rona Mbabazi—Fulfilling Her Dream
Meet Rona Mbabazi, a girl with a dream! Rona joined Ideal Girls High..
Welcome to AWAGO+
Empowering Journeys: The AWAGO Story
At AWAGO, we believe in the power of partnerships to amplify impact and create lasting change. AWAGO+ invites like-minded organizations, corporations, and community groups to join us in our mission to empower women and girls through mental health, socio-economic promotion, and sustainable development. Together, we can transform lives and build resilient communities.
AWAGO+ emphasizes an integrated approach to addressing mental health, socio-economic empowerment, and sustainable development by investing in community-centered initiatives led by embedded organizations. Our approach is rooted in collaboration, shared expertise, and community-driven innovation.
Impact
Maximizing Impact
Partnerships amplify the reach and effectiveness of our programs, ensuring we make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and girls.
Efficient Use of Resources
Collaboration ensures responsible stewardship of resources, optimizing outcomes through shared expertise and strategic alignment.
Community-Driven Innovation
Insights and feedback from communities enable us to adapt and evolve our programs to meet the needs of those we serve.
Through strategic partnerships, AWAGO+ aims to:
Strengthen the Voices and Participation of Women and Girls
Provide leadership training and opportunities for women and girls to take active roles in their communities and decision-making processes.
Prioritize Women’s Right to Mental Health and Well-being Techniques
Establish mental health and wellness practices, including evidence-based techniques like Transcendental Meditation (TM), as foundational tools for resilience.
Focus on Women’s Socio-economic Promotion
Facilitate vocational training, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship opportunities, enabling women to achieve economic independence.
Improve Educational Outcomes
Expand access to quality education, support literacy initiatives, and enhance learning environments to foster lifelong learning for women and girls.
Annual Reports

Leslee Goldstein’s Research on Transcendental Meditation
Dr. Leslee Goldstein has played a pivotal role in documenting the effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation in improving the mental health and well-being of women and girls in Uganda. Her research has provided the scientific backing that supports AWAGO’s mental health initiatives, making it clear that meditation is not just a wellness activity but a critical tool for overcoming stress, trauma, and anxiety in underserved communities.
Key Research Highlights:
The Impact of TM on Ultra-Poor Women: This research shows how women practicing TM experience reduced stress, improved focus, and a greater sense of self-worth, which enables them to take on leadership roles in their families and communities.
Mental Health in High-Stress Careers: Goldstein’s studies also explore how TM helps healthcare workers and caregivers manage the emotional strain of their jobs, contributing to improved work performance and overall well-being.
You can explore Dr. Goldstein’s full research and analysis to understand how TM contributes to the mental health landscape in Uganda.
Read the Full Study on TM and Mental Health