2021 at a Glance
We are approaching the end of our 10th year providing education and vocational training to children, young women, and parents in Uganda. For a decade now, we have been steadfast in our pursuit to give families, living in conditions of poverty, access to the necessary knowledge and skills to earn an increased income that provides beyond the basic requirements for life for themselves and their family, including good education and healthcare, a safe place to live and nutritious food.
The past 21 months of life in Uganda has been extremely difficult. Many of those we work with have made relatively small steps towards this goal, whilst others have been so severely affected that they’ve lost the security of their home, or the ability to provide basic food and healthcare. We have, for example, made one of our buildings available for one family who couldn’t maintain their rent payments during Covid. Although restrictions have eased at times, those who live and work in Kampala have suffered with relentless pressure, forcing families to radically reduce their standard of living, simply to ensure each family member receives a single plate of rice and beans each day.
There have been though, huge leaps made by some and significant resilience shown by many. Below is a snapshot of some of this year’s highlights. If you’re a donor you can read more, expanded stories from the year in our Members Area, which includes a story of Vincent and his mother (pictured below).
2021 AT A GLANCE
Provided school fees and the necessary support for 57 children in primary and secondary school, when they were open between January and June 2021.
Distributed 114 learning resources and practice exam papers to 57 primary (42) and secondary (15) students during periods when schools shut from mid-June.
Ran socially distanced vocational training in our classrooms for 8 young women. All these women will be attending vocational training colleges or working with local artisans from January.
Provided sponsorship for 22 young women in vocational training, studying Hairdressing and Cosmetics, Fashion & Design, Nursery Teaching, Child Development, Secretarial Studies, and Catering and Hotel Management.
Provided food & hygiene packages to the 75 families we work with, distributing 1.5 tonnes of posho flour, 0.75 tonnes of rice and beans, 750 litres of cooking oil, 300 kg of sugar and 150 2-feet long bars of soap, totalling £2,367 (£31.50/family) – this doesn’t include the £1,634 we expect to spend on food packages for families this Christmas.
SUCCESS STORIES
Despite the challenges, we have seen various successes through the year as individuals and families make their next steps towards self-sufficiency:
Alex, Tadeo, Esther, Philidausi, Tracy, Godfrey, Francis, Vincent, Diana, Serina graduated from primary school in June (after sitting their delayed mocks in Dec 20 and full exams in Mar 21). Graduating Primary is the first key milestone on this journey towards self-sufficiency. We are extremely proud of each of them.
Lodah graduated in Catering and Hotel Management from YMCA college and has since started working for a hotel in Kampala (one of the best in Uganda).
Rose, Sharon, Shakira, Jovia, Catherine, Immaculate, Brenda, Rachael, Rebecca all graduated this year - most are already earning an income from their training, some have graduated more recently and are in the process of gaining clients or applying to places to work.
Mary-Rose, James, Justine and Carol, who all graduated before March 20, are still in work (although most earning a reduced income due to current Covid restrictions).
After schools have been closed, and the country in lockdown for the last 6 months, there has now been official communication to say schools will reopen from January 10th. This news comes now that the target percentage of the population has been vaccinated (14.3% of population has been given one dose according to www.ourworldindata.org). The vaccine rollout has focussed on densely populated regions, with a priority on vaccinations for teachers. (All our staff are vaccinated)
We are looking forward to 2022: continuing to provide education and vocational training to 107 children and young women. But not before we finish the year by giving each family a food package this Christmas and having a couple of weeks rest!
Thank you for all your support this year, whether attending the virtual quiz at the beginning of the year, sponsoring a child, supporting young adults into vocational training, or buying a food package for a family, we really appreciate it.