United Purpose

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United Purpose We are an international development charity striving to end extreme poverty and inequality

United Purpose is a movement of people and organisations that strive to end poverty and inequality across the globe. We are a leader in community-led development and grassroots innovation. For more than 40 years, we have worked with frontline activists, community organisations and individuals to help people gain agency over their own lives - so they can move Beyond Aid. We take this approach because we believe a person’s ability to determine their own future should never be dependent on benevolence or charity, but always within their own control. We use innovation and creativity to make this happen, and we are not afraid to explore new methods to achieve better results.

When Louisa, a seamstress and mother of three, connected with us through a women’s club in Nigeria’s Benue State, she sa...
24/07/2025

When Louisa, a seamstress and mother of three, connected with us through a women’s club in Nigeria’s Benue State, she saw a pathway to enhance her craft and fortify her family’s livelihood.

A year later, she is not only a successful designer and entrepreneur but is using her experience to train other aspiring seamstresses through our Rural Women’s Empowerment project and has diversified her income streams.

This programme has given me the ability to support my family better,” she said. “I can proudly say that we now enjoy nutritious meals and live in a healthier environment, preventing diseases."

🌞 From darkness to light in rural Malawi...Elizabeth, a mum of five, used to rely on a dim torch to light her home. Batt...
15/05/2025

🌞 From darkness to light in rural Malawi...

Elizabeth, a mum of five, used to rely on a dim torch to light her home. Batteries were a luxury she couldn’t always afford.

But everything changed when she qualified for a solar home system through a GIZ-funded Self Help Africa project. For just around €26 paid in small instalments, Elizabeth brought light - and hope - into her home.

💡 Now her children study at night safely.
🔋 She charges her phone from home - no more long and risky treks.
⚡ And with her entrepreneurial spirit, she’s started a small phone-charging business to earn extra income for her family.

“The solar system changed everything,” she says. “We no longer sleep in the dark.”

Elizabeth’s story is a good reminder that when we invest in people, we power futures. ✨

Walk this way… and change your life and others’! 👣 🌍Looking for an unforgettable summer adventure? Join our team of int...
26/03/2025

Walk this way… and change your life and others’! 👣 🌍

Looking for an unforgettable summer adventure? Join our team of intrepid supporters this August as we head for the Spanish hills to take on a 120km trek into Santiago de Compostela. ☀️

The Camino is a guided walk over six days, with lots of support and advice from us in the build-up. The aim? To raise lots of money to support the brilliant communities we work with in Africa while challenging ourselves, having as much fun as possible and making memories and friendships to treasure.

Sound good? We’d LOVE you to join us. Find out more by visiting our sister organisation here 👇
https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/walk-the-camino-2025/

Today, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we reaffirm our commitment to the UN Sustainable Develop...
17/10/2024

Today, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we reaffirm our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 - Ending Poverty - in all its forms, everywhere for everyone, by 2030.

Poverty is more than economic hardship. Poverty can bring about interconnected challenges relating to access to healthcare, education and more.

As we strive to achieve the SDGs, we must address both visible and invisible dimensions of poverty - to ensure that truly no one is left behind.

10/09/2024

Our Rural Women Entrepreneurs pilot, funded by GIZ and active in Nigeria, Kenya, and Malawi is providing rural women with training in business and digital skills. 📲

In Nigeria, women like Doris and Aomdongu are being trained in hairdressing, shampoo-making and how to promote and sell their goods/services through social media. 💇

Women's Business Centres like these are transforming lives, not just for the women involved, but also for their families and communities. 🙌

Watch:

Today on International Literacy Day, we thought we'd share a bit more on our five year project in Mozambique, 'She Belon...
08/09/2024

Today on International Literacy Day, we thought we'd share a bit more on our five year project in Mozambique, 'She Belongs in School', funded by Global Affairs Canada through Save the Children International.

As an implementing partner, we're working with 20 communities in Niassa province, with the goal of enhancing education and learning outcomes for girls aged 10-19.

Literacy is a fundamental human right. Yet 1 in 7 adults around the world - 754 million people - lack basic literacy skills.

In Mozambique, just over 40% of girls finish lower secondary school. Adult literacy rates are lower for women than men. We're working to change this.

Merina, Cacilda and Cheila share some insights into the impact of the project here:

05/09/2024

Just outside Banjul in The Gambia, a group of young people are leading the way in transforming and developing agricultural practices through a demonstration farm.

At the farm, they’re proving that climate-smart, organic practices can make crops like papayas, bananas, and pineapples grow locally. This innovation reduces reliance on imports and boosts farmers' incomes.

Watch this video to see how this farm is making a difference for farmers like Ousman and Sheikh Tijan.

Access to safe water is a human right - something that's being denied to 2.2 billion people around the world. On , we m...
29/08/2024

Access to safe water is a human right - something that's being denied to 2.2 billion people around the world.

On , we must continue to push for progress to advance SDG6: Clean water and sanitation for all.

At United Purpose/Self Help Africa, we believe everyone should be able to access resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services that help support sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives in a changing climate.

Read more about our water and sanitation work here: https://united-purpose.org/wash

Our world is facing an unprecedented number of global crises. As we commemorate World Humanitarian Day today, it is esti...
19/08/2024

Our world is facing an unprecedented number of global crises. As we commemorate World Humanitarian Day today, it is estimated that close to 300 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2024.

Today we join the call to - we pay tribute to humanitarian workers all over the world, and call for their protection in conflict zones.

13/08/2024

Sheikh Tijan Jallow is a member of our Self Help Africa/United Purpose Gambia team, and a passionate young farmer! He had the chance to leave his home in The Gambia and emigrate, but he stayed. "I have three gardens. I see a lot of opportunities in agriculture...

In this country we have to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow."

Watch as Sheikh Tijan speaks about how our Transforming Access to Markets project has worked with young people to form their own agro-business schemes.

Every day, we work with young farmers to grow more and earn more from their farms.

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W2, Wellington House, Wellington Street
Cardiff
CF119BE

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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