We are excited to tell you about Gifts that Give, a new way to give holiday gifts and honor loved ones while helping your friends in Uganda through Hope for Ugandan Students (HUGS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by former FDNC volunteers. Gifts that Give include:
- Clean drinking water for a community school
- A desk and chair for a special needs student
- Vegetable and fruit tree seeds for a community garden
- And many more
To select gifts and/or for more information, please visit http://hugsuganda.org/gifts.html or write to info@hugsuganda.org

May 2007: Foundation for Development of Needy Communities (FDNC) gets a new Executive Director
After having volunteered as a consultant for FDNC since August of 2006, Justin V. Silbaugh has been appointed Executive Director.

FDNC is entering an exciting new phase of professionalism, systems development, and growth. As it moves through this period of transition, it is raising its standards to reflect an organization that demonstrates effective program implementation, financial transparency, and strategic planning for the future.

FDNC has adopted a new operational philosophy: Impact, Transformation, Sustainability. The organization programs must make an impact at the grassroots level in rural Ugandan communities. These programs should also bring about transformation in the lives of project beneficiaries. Sustainability must be at the forefront of all program planning and implementation. FDNC believes that commitment to this philosophy will propel it forward on the path to becoming a model organization throughout the East African Community.

This philosophy is already being reflected in all the organizations programs. FDNC’s successful Vocational Skills Training Center is now in position to achieve 100% sustainability by July of 2008. The Community-Based Health and Development Program, in coalition with American Jewish World Service, Church World Service, PONT and the Mbale District Government, is rapidly training a network of 30 Community Health Workers to bring primary healthcare services to rural communities throughout the region. Working in conjunction with UGive2Uganda, FDNC will be forming a wind band in Natondome Village to complement the existing award-winning Brass Band and Jazz Band, with the eventual goal of creating the first youth orchestra in East Africa.

The Paralegal Advisory Services (PAS) Program, which provides pre-trial legal advice to inmates and juveniles, is quickly becoming recognized as the top field office in Uganda.

The newly created Kisakye Memorial Special Needs Center has increased enrollment by 50% in the past year, and working in conjunction with a CWS volunteer group from Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, will construct its own facility this year.

The Youth Empowerment Program, which provides scholarships to orphans and vulnerable children, is reducing administrative costs to 10% to ensure maximum funding reaches beneficiaries.

Finally, the Finance and Administration Department has started construction of the Building for Sustainability Project, which will house FDNC’s administrative offices as well as generate revenue from additional office space rentals.

FDNC’s mission is to uplift the underserved individuals and communities of Eastern Uganda and beyond.

April 2003: Empowering the Communities through Enhanced Information and Communication Access

FDNC is seeking partners to collaborate in the project 'Empowering the Communities through Enhanced Information and Communication Access'.
Project Location
The project is headquartered in Natondome village at Buwalula, 4.5 miles, along Tororo- old Nabumali- Bududa road, Bungokho County in a rural setting for closer services to the grassroots population in Mbale district. For better contacts, FDNC has a contact office in Mbale Town located on plot 51/61, Republic Street, next to the Mbale Main Post office in the former district administration block.

Target community
Rural/Underserved Communities in Mbale, Schools, farmers, youth, women etc. The Project will provide a medium of communication, information delivery for the community and also rural economic growth within and beyond the communities served and facilitate the work of rural development e.g. CBOs, NGOs, Gov't departments, service institutions, and private commercial and trading sector. The Project will also provide a learning opportunity to researchers, planners, policy analysts and private entrepreneurs.

Project summary
The objective is to stimulate rural development by facilitating access to Information, learning resources and communication technologies in Mbale district's underserved Communities and support improved social services through Information. In this, communities will combine efforts in learning and promoting the use and application of integrated ICT systems. The overall goal is to improve the quality of life of the rural people.

Foundation for Development of Needy Communities (FDNC) was founded in 1996 by a group of skilled university graduates and the community members after careful assessment of social crises in Mbale district.

The overall objective of FDNC is to spread development consciousness in order to fight poverty and empower communities to be self-reliant. This is through provision and promotion of education, vocational skills and credit facilities thereby improving the conditions of the concerned communities.

To-date FDNC is involved in life saving skills adolescent development programs, awareness seminars to promote girls' advancement, a gender sensitive resource Center and various programs aimed at advancing girls' access to education. FDNC is also working closely with women groups, schools and community associations. The Foundation collaborates closely with the relevant government ministries and NGOs.

FDNC strongly believes in strategies that introduce new ideas and services with methods of empowering the powerless.

FDNC's strategy in these is among others through home visits, sensitizing parents, teachers and guardians on the rights of girl child organizing communities to guarantee peoples rights and social development. Young Straight Talk Clubs and encouraging rural girls to go to school, advocacy, technical training skills, counseling girls at risk, Youth Career Development programs through training in work skills for young women as a spring board to jobs and further education and reproductive health programs for adolescents, helping to boost girl enrolment in schools and institutions. Primary Healthcare, Family Planning, skills development, Home management, promotion of legal rights for women through sensitizations and seeking assistance for victims, assisting widows and counseling services to families in difficult circumstances, networking and income generating activities etc.

FDNC programs are implemented by a team of volunteers and staff under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and guided by the Board of Directors.

FDNC raises support from annual subscription and fundraising appeals. FDNC too is a beneficiary of the Operation Crossroads Africa, Foundation for Sustainable Development, Global Fund for Children, Global Catalyst Foundation, Camberly Youth Wind Orchestra. The community is an equal partner in such efforts and FDNC aims to build a self-reliant orientation right from start up. FDNC has now developed into a solid organization, which is capable of seeking for funds from development partners.