OUR MISSION

To provide support, healing, awareness, and advocacy in the fight against gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices. We believe that every individual deserves to live in dignity and safety, free from fear and discrimination. Through community education, survivor-centered programs, and cultural transformation initiatives, we work to empower women, men, and youth to become champions of equality and respect.

our VISION

To build a safe, inclusive, and empowered society where every person regardless of gender, age, or background can live free from violence and inequality. We envision communities that uphold respect, compassion, and justice, where survivors are supported and harmful norms are replaced with understanding and equality. Through collaboration, education, and collective action, we strive to create a future where hope is restored, voices are heard, and dignity is protected for all.

our core values

We are guided by compassion, integrity, and equality in all that we do. We believe in the power of empathy to heal, the strength of collaboration to create change, and the importance of respect in restoring dignity to survivors. Our work is rooted in accountability, transparency, and a deep commitment to justice and human rights. We champion inclusivity, amplify the voices of women and girls, and uphold cultural transformation as the path toward a safe and empowered society.

short story about us

Jael’s Arm of Hope Center was co-founded by Jerusa Achieno and Pauline Nagila, two brave women who turned their personal pain into purpose. Officially registered in 2019, the organization was born out of the determination not to remain wrapped in fear, silence, or stigma after experiencing firsthand the realities of gender-based violence. Their shared experience inspired a powerful conviction — to become a voice of hope, healing, and empowerment for those who cannot yet speak up, and for survivors still trapped in fear or shame. What began as a small act of courage has grown into a movement of compassion and change, championing the rights and dignity of women and girls across communities.

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We create gender-based violence awareness and prevention programs that challenge harmful cultural norms and promote respect, safety, and equality. With a strong physical presence in Bwiri Ward, Busia County, we work directly with communities to inspire change from within. Through community dialogues, youth sessions, and men and boys engagement forums, we foster positive attitudes, shared responsibility, and collective action toward ending violence. We also empower women and girls across Busia County through skills training, livelihood projects, and leadership mentorship programs that build confidence and self-reliance. Our initiatives engage smallholder rural women farmers, helping them strengthen their economic independence through sustainable practices and community-driven models such as table banking.

 

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OUR OBJECTIVES

PREVENTION and HEALING

We work to prevent gender-based violence through education, awareness, and community dialogues that challenge harmful cultural norms and promote safety and respect for all and also provide psychosocial support and mentorship to survivors.

EMPOWERMENT

We equip women and girls with the knowledge, confidence, and economic opportunities they need to build independent, dignified lives and become active agents of change in their communities.

ADVOCACY

We engage leaders, institutions, and policymakers to champion gender equality and human rights, ensuring that every voice, especially that of rural women in Busia, is heard in decision-making spaces.

we need your help

Help us Extend Hope!

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Women in rural communities carry untold strength — they nurture families, sustain traditions, and hold the soul of our nation together. Yet, too often, their stories are buried beneath silence and suffering. When women rise above violence and reclaim their dignity, entire communities are transformed. Our mission as a society must be to heal, empower, and remind every woman that her voice has power — not just to survive, but to lead change. In the quest to attain SDG 5 — Gender Equality — women must be at the center of every conversation, every policy, and every action. Especially rural women, whose resilience and wisdom often go unseen. They are the heartbeat of our communities — the silent builders, caregivers, and leaders whose voices must be heard. Empowering women to rise above gender-based violence is not just advancing equality; it is rebuilding the moral fabric of our communities. When a woman is safe, heard, and free, the whole nation heals.
- PAULINE NAGILA, DIRECTOR - JAELS ARM OF HOPE
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our team

Pauline is the Co-Founder of Jael’s Arm of Hope and a seasoned Trainer of Trainers and Human Rights Activist. She is passionate about promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social justice, particularly within rural communities. With years of experience in community mobilization and advocacy, Pauline leads with empathy and purpose, inspiring others to speak out against gender-based violence and champion the rights and dignity of women and girls..

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PAULINE MORINE NAGILA Co-Founder

Oscar Ryan Ouma is the Programs Officer at JAELS, an ICT professional and a climate, environmental, and human rights activist with a strong passion for youth leadership, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and community empowerment.

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OSCAR RYAN OUMA Programs Officer

Jerusa is the Co-Founder of Jael’s Arm of Hope and a dedicated Human Rights Activist with firsthand experience in psychosocial counselling. She is deeply committed to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and advancing rural women’s empowerment initiatives that promote sustainability and self-reliance. Her work focuses on creating safe, inclusive spaces where women can heal, grow, and lead change within their communities.

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JERUSA ACHIENO Co-Founder