Agency For Turkana Development Initiatives (ATUDIS)

ATUDIS (Agency for Turkana Development Initiatives) is an independent registered Community Based, Civil society organization, non-profit organization based in Lodwar - Turkana County. The prime motto is capacity building, Community empowerment and service delivery to the deprived and marginalized people of Turkana County. In 2014, a group of professionals, dynamic and like-minded working in the development sector, got together with the aim of establishing a CBO, for addressing the most urgent and pressings needs of the people of Turkana County. True to this spirit, the organization was named Agency for Turkana Development Initiatives (ATUDIS). Considering their association with then the development sector, the professionals were cognizant of the many problems plaguing their County. Consequently, the organization’s focus was not kept limited either in terms of geography or sector. ATUDIS therefore intended to operate in several parts of the County and has been carrying a range of interventions in various sectors of development and humanitarian interventions. The type of activities undertaken by ATUDIS range from capacity building to service delivery, with main focus remaining on the deprived and marginalized segments of Turkana community. Whereas in terms of operations what characterizes ATUDIS’s functioning are its efforts to: - (a) enlist involvement of the community when initiating activities at the grassroot level; and (b) Mobilizing communities to resolve conflict, bring peace, tolerance and development in the society. Although a somewhat new entrant into the development arena, ATUDIS-owing to the rich experience and training of its members and staff, and linkages to Government, national and international funding agencies-enjoys a diverse portfolio, characterized by partnership and good working relations with organizations such as HelpAge, GIZ, LOKADO, TUPADO, APAD, World Vision, Reach Programme, EGPAF etc Why ATUDIS Influenced by the new development paradigm which puts people before things, ATUDIS follows a participatory approach in every sphere of its work. The traditional knowledge of the rural poor is valued and respected, and there is confidence that local communities are capable of a self-reliant organization. On a practical level, the fundamental thrust of this approach is decentralization and empowerment. For a community to be able to work for its own development and reduce its dependency, there is a need for full involvement at all stages of the development cycle. The participation of communities, identification, planning, management, implementation and evaluation of projects is a key factor in ATUDIS’s work. Internally a participatory approach is adopted in managing the affairs of ATUDIS Externally, ATUDIS’s role as a game changer helps to develop community management structures that can manage their own development. This increases the ability of the community to demand accountability in all their affairs, from leaders and county officials. It reinforces the community’s belief in the value of their own development choices and efforts. These community management structures are not parallel structures, but are built upon local institutions, promoting equitable representation and participation. Human resource development is an essential part of ATUDIS’s development work. This means ensuring that the community is trained and skilled, as well as organized, to maximize their potential of community to take hold of its own development. ATUDIS strongly believes in maximizing its impact by transferring field experiences into knowledge to influence the development policies and practices of NGOs, donors and government agencies. This is important for working towards the long-term goal of eradicating poverty. Professional Strength • Highly qualified, experienced and devoted professionals and board members and staff • Adaptability to cope up and meet the requirements of diverse socio-cultural environments. • Overwhelming support of local people and its leadership • Acceptance as a representative of common people of the area • Extensive network to undertake initiatives at grassroot level • The office set up with requisite infrastructure and staff • Strong partnerships for undertaking innovative initiatives Mission The Mission of ATUDIS is to work with vulnerable communities to create sustainable socioeconomic development through development initiatives and humanitarian aid that alleviate poverty, improve living standards and impart positive social transformation. To achieve this mission, we engage in long-term development projects, responding to emergency situations, and seek to address the root causes of poverty. Vision: ATUDIS Envisions a community with no-one living in poverty, accessing decent standards, opportunities and choices essential to a long, healthy and sustainable life. Goal: The goal of ATUDIS is to contribute towards improved standards of living for Turkana community through community mobilization, capacity building, advocacy and strengthening of institutions at the grassroot level. Core Values: (a) Participation (f) Inclusiveness (b) Responsiveness (g) Transparency (c) Accountability (h) Equity (d) Integrity (j) Effectiveness (e) Efficiency (k) Communication Objectives The overall Objective: Enhanced ability in the target communities to tackle their own economic, social and environmental problems for sustainable community development