Education for 100 orphan girls in Kamwenge Uganda

Summary

Often the 0rphan girls do not go to school or if they do when there is a shortage of money, they are the first to drop out. They suffer untold problems ranging from discrimination, sexual abuse, rape, unwanted pregnancies, early marriages, poverty, sometimes they resort to drug abuse. Sometimes they are sexually abused or raped by the so called "Guardians" who take them on in the guise of supporting them. We keep the girls in a Boarding School. Education gives then hope for the future.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Traditionally in Uganda, when children lose their parents, the extended family or guardians take them in their own home. But often they are discriminated, lack clothes, sometimes they do not go to school or if they do when there is a shortage of money, they are the first to drop out of school. The orphaned girls suffer untold problems ranging from discrimination, trauma, sexual abuse, rape, early marriages, poverty, and drug abuse. Education will boost their self esteem and future income.

How will this project solve this problem?

The girls attend a Boarding school at Tooro High school in Fort Portal, where they are taken care of by Teachers who are specially trained in counseling and life skills to these already traumatized children.They are given training in Adolescent Sexual and reproductive health especially to avoiding HIV/ AIDS which was the cause of death for some of their parents. They are trained in Sewing, knitting, design, for future income. They need a sewing machine as a start up pack after they graduate.

Potential Long Term Impact

They are given training in Reproductive health with emphasis on skills of assertiveness for saying "No" to sex to avoiding HIV/ AIDS. Eleven girls are HIV+ (contracted at birth). They need medication, Anti Retro-viral Therapy (ART) and special feeding. One girl - Gloria has elephantiasis. These sickly orphans need love and care. They need to be protected from further misfortunes. The project will provide education/ skills for 100 girls, save lives of 11 HIV positive girls and treat Gloria.

Project Message

"Our hope had gone when our father died from AIDS. Our mother followed a few months later. That was when schooling was no more for us. I am glad we are in school again." Grace Naigga
- Grace Naigga - a Child head of family, Grace had left school due to her parents death

Resources