In Uganda, children with disabilities are often not able to go to school due to lack of hygiene facilities that allow them to use the bathroom. Many children also face stigma and bullying from students who don't understand their needs. This project will fund an accessible toilet in a local school district in Gulu, Uganda. It will also help fund an inclusive, anti-bullying curriculum within the school
Thousands of children in Gulu are unable to attend school because the environment is not built for them to be able to do something as basic as use the bathroom. This not only unfairly stigmatizes the children but their family and community is also impacted. A community can thrive when children are able to go to school and learn skills to improve their own lives and the lives of their families.
This project will provide funding to build an accessible toilet in a local school. This will allow children with disabilities to attend regularly and focus more on their studies. The project will also fund training and education for an inclusive, anti-bullying curriculum in the school. This will help other children and teachers have a better understanding of disabilities and allow students with disabilities to feel more comfortable going to school every day.
The lives of our 40 Fellows will be changed forever. They will be empowered - personally, academically and professionally - like all 274 graduates that have served as Peace Fellows since 2003. Meanwhile, their hosts will also become stronger agents for change, and better able to serve their stakeholders. Together this year (2016) we expect to directly benefit 4,800 individuals and families through 12 programs. Fellows have helped us raise an impressive $2.74 million for partners.