ORGANISATION PROFILE

Youth United for Social Mobilization (YUSOM), is a non-governmental and nonprofit organization, free from political, clans, religion and ethnic divisions, works with thousands of youth in urban and rural areas throughout South- central Somalia and in Easliegh, and north-eastern Kenya. YUSOM strives to create a future where youth are able to facilitate their own development. YUSOM works in program areas of Youth Entrepreneurship and Micro financing, promotion of environment and agriculturical development, Youth empowerment, capacity building, mentorship, grassroots community mobilization and awareness, technology, lobbying, and research.

YUSOM encourages and strengthens collective social, economic, cultural, and environmental, peace and technological initiatives developed by youth themselves. YUSOM strives to remove obstacles to youth empowerment so that they have sustainable livelihoods and successful living standards.

YUSOM an all youth inclusive organization, is based in the centre of the largest youth community and is entirely staffed by youth members, aiming to assist marginalized and disenfranchised youth, to help them create and sustain income generating, lead a healthy life, access the benefits of ICT and have a better understanding of their rights as citizens. Unlike most organizations working with youth, YUSOM enables youth to come up with their own solutions in open forums, rather than dictating them what to do.

YUSOM was founded in February 2008 by a group youth intellectuals comprising of men and women after releasing the need of the youth in the development stages so that they can play a greater role in the development of their own communities. Registered at the Kenyan Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) bureau and in Somalia, under the ministry of home affairs.

VISION
YUSOM visions to change the lives of youth towards a positive lifestyle, and get a society in which the youth are able to facilitate their own development and their communities in general.

MISSION
YUSOM Mission is to build a youth-centered community by first empowering under privileged youth through sports, skill- empowerment, education and various extra circular activities.


YUSOM  OBJECTIVES

• To support youth undertake their own development
• To unite and empower young people both socially and economically
• To improve the youth creativity and access to information that can help to a positive transformation
• To create environment that youth can participate in decision making
• To promote awareness and wellbeing of youth by working towards promoting gender equality, youth rights, alleviating poverty,  hunger, abuse, HIV/AIDs and violence, through providing economic opportunities, developing life skills, promoting healthy living and holding sporting events, drama acting, debates and trainings.
• To conduct and encourage research on youth related issues
• To promote environmental awareness,  preservation and agricultural development
• To establish youth Empowerment and training centres like shared forum facilities for Youth and Community groups, a chance to introduce themselves, reach out and share thoughts, comments, issues, advice and experience with others

GOALS
YUSOM aims to see youth community free from illiteracy, poverty and marginalization

OUR CORE VALUES

• Integrity
•  Equity
• Responsibility
• Inclusiveness
• Responsiveness
• Transparency and Accountability

Networking
1.    Somali Trust Foundation(STF)
2.    Safe Aid Foundation(SAF)
3.    Kenya Transitional Initiative (KTI)
4.    Peace and development initiative community organization (PADICO)


YUSOM MEMBERSHIP

YUSOM draws its members from different areas in Nairobi, Somalia and Northeastern
Kenya etc. Currently the organization has over 1829 members, of whom 728 are female and 1101 are male. These members are divided in two categories
•    Founded Members
•     Honorary Members/ volunteers

YUSOM GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE

YUSOM geographical coverage includes Somalia particularly the South-central regions, Somaliland and  in Kenya’s northeastern region, and in Easliegh, Nairobi suburb.  
YUSOM FINANCIAL SUPPORT
YUSOM gets its main financial support from Easliegh business community, youth member contributions and other national and international organizations like USAID and Somali Aid Foundation.