Dear friend,
Have you ever wondered who is at the heart of Mercy Corps’ work delivering critical aid and creating brighter futures day in, day out?
Today, we’re launching a new series of interviews with some of Mercy Corps’ 6,000 team members who lead our mission in communities across the globe. What inspires them to serve? How are they making an impact? What is their vision for the future of their communities?
Read on to learn more about our first featured teammate, program manager Esther Kapel, who focuses on supporting girls’ health, rights, and economic opportunities in Uganda. You can explore more about Mercy Corps’ impact in Uganda here.
Esther first heard about Mercy Corps when she graduated from university and returned home to find work. She recalled seeing Mercy Corps vehicles around her small town in Uganda and hearing stories from her aunties, who were participants in Mercy Corps programs.
Esther learned firsthand about our history of impact in her country and was immediately inspired to join.
Esther joined Mercy Corps as an intern and worked her way up. Along the way, she took part in many projects in Uganda. She is proud to have worked on the GIRL-H interventions program, where she helped young girls face the obstacles that impacted their education, health, and livelihood.
With Mercy Corps’ help, Esther supports young women in her village to reach their full potential and empowers them to have a voice.
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"The GIRL-H program addresses several crucial aspects of young people’s development, including life and business skills, literacy and numeracy knowledge and competencies, healthy family and community relations, and sexual and reproductive health awareness."
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Despite all the challenges and hurdles, such as the lack of electricity, water, and internet, that many people face in Karamoja, Uganda, Esther highlights the impact and gain that Mercy Corps programs have on the lives of Ugandans.
"What sets Mercy Corps apart from other aid organizations in the region is its holistic and sustainable approach to development. We take a comprehensive and long-term view of development, addressing the root causes of poverty and vulnerability rather than just providing short-term relief," says Esther.
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"By investing in skills development and economic empowerment for young people, we are helping create a new generation of leaders and change-makers in the region."
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As a native of Uganda, Esther is proud to work in service of communities like the one in which she grew up — and to implement Mercy Corps’ inclusive approach that drives sustainable development outcomes and ensures that "initiatives are owned and driven by communities themselves."
Your support for Mercy Corps team members like Esther helps make a meaningful difference for families and communities that face war, hunger, climate disasters, and extreme poverty.
Take a moment to see this work in action in Uganda.
Sincerely,
Mercy Corps
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