Who is Mercy Akongo?

Mercy Akongo, the founder of This Life Foundation is a phenomenal young woman whose life and journey leaves you challenged and inspired. Ms Akongo is a motivational public speaker, whose journey of life is richly filled with unbelievable experiences yet she lives her life with simplicity, grace and humility. Right from the tender age of 8, Ms Akongo started on a journey of sacrifice, whose service to the poor, fighting for the oppressed women and a voice for vulnerable children made a difference to the lives of hundreds of women and children in Uganda, Africa and globally. In recognition of her work, Ms Akongo received The Nelson Mandela Innovation Award at The Civicus World Assembly in Scotland (2006). As a Ugandan representative to both African Youth Parliament (AYP) and Oxfam International Youth Parliament/Partnership, she had the opportunity to lobby and advocate for the rights of young people facing discrimination, neglect, abuse and stereotype. Ms Akongo also worked with the Minority Rights Group International (MRG) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Africa where she advocated against unfair policies that affect minority communities. Ms Akongo founded Tedwii Indigenous Women Development Organization (TIDO) in 2002 to empower women and young people as development partners in North Eastern Uganda. Ms Akongo has been able to advocate on behalf of the world`s poor at different forums including at the United Nation General Assemblies. She is also a co-founder of the Uganda Pastoral Taskforce: “The Untapped Potentials”, a body set up to lobby and advocate for the rights of pastoralist’s communities in Uganda. Ms Akongo`s fondest yet traumatic moments was her experience working with war victims in the war-torn Northern Uganda. She worked on a Sexual Gender Based Violence project in the war affected Northern Uganda; an experience that changed her life and motivated her to continue supporting vulnerable children and women in poor communities. By working directly with victims and survivors of war within the internally Displaced Person’s Camp and the rural communities of Northern Uganda, she came face to face with terror and witnessed traumatic events that left a mark in her heart to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children and women in communities. Ms Akongo has founded This Life Foundation to continue supporting disadvantaged women and children in Africa.

 

Ms Akongo is currently employed with the Australian Red Cross in Sydney, Australia working within the Migration Support Program assisting people fleeing persecution and seeking protection in Australia.

 

Mercy holds a Masters in Human Rights Law and Policy, a Bachelor in Arts (Arts), Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration, Certificate in Public Advocacy and Action in the 21 centuries, Certificate in Gender mainstreaming, Certificate in Project Planning and Management, Certificate in Psycho-social support on HIV victims, Certificate in Leadership Skills, Peace-Building and Peace-Making, Sub-regional training on National Youth Policy,  and a certificate in International Minority Rights, lobbying and advocacy, (UN Mechanism and practices)