Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls

We are happy to share the impact of our recent school outreach at All Saints Primary School in Kajjansi, where Joy for Children Uganda distributed essential scholastic materials to 50 vulnerable children. Through our Delay Marriage and Promote Schooling project, we are helping remove one of the barriers that prevents children, especially girls, from staying in school. For many families, the cost of basic learning materials can lead to absenteeism or school dropout, lost morale of studying hence increasing children's vulnerability to child marriage.

During our visit, we had one-on-one conversations with five learners who, despite their passion for education, struggle to stay in school because their families cannot afford basic necessities such as exercise books, pens, and sanitary towels. Several shared that they often rely on the kindness of teachers, the school, or well-wishers whenever these essentials are available. Hearing their stories reinforced our commitment to ensuring that these children receive these scholastic Materials from Joy for Children Uganda per term and with your support we know this will always be posible.

Thanks to your support, 50 children received the scholastic materials they need to continue their education. Beyond the distribution, our team also engaged learners and teachers on the importance of keeping every child in school and creating a safe environment where girls and boys can thrive. Education remains one of the most effective ways to delay child marriage and empower children to reach their full potential.

How the future looks like, we plan to expand our outreach to more schools and identify at least 1000 vulnerable children who are at risk of dropping out of school. We also aim to support the re-enrolment of out-of-school children especially teenage mothers that need a second chance at education through our education support initiatives. In addition, we hope to provide school bags, school uniforms, and sanitary towels to help girls stay in school with dignity, while continuing community and school sensitization sessions on the importance of education, child protection, and preventing child marriage. Together, we are ensuring that more children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.

Dear GlobalGiving Donors,

Thank you for your continued support towards our “Delay Marriage, Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls” project. Because of your generosity, vulnerable girls are gaining a stronger chance to stay in school, avoid child marriage, and pursue their dreams.

During this reporting period, we reached 30 girls, 12 parents and caregivers, and 10 community leaders and teachers through our mentorship sessions, community dialogues, school outreach activities, and child protection awareness campaigns. We provided 12 girls with scholastic materials and menstrual hygiene supplies to help reduce the barriers to school attendance and help our beneficiaries remain focused on their education.

Needless to say, child marriage remains a significant challenge in Uganda, where 1 in every 3 (about 34%) of girls get married or enter into informal unions before their 18^th birthday. Through your support, we strengthen community awareness on child protection laws, reporting mechanisms, and emphasize the importance of educating girls in schools and communities.

The impact is best reflected in the voices of the girls we served themselves.

“I feared that I would be forced into marriage because my family could not afford school requirements. After receiving support and your guidance, I returned to school and now want to become a teacher” one of our beneficiries aged 12 years revealed.

Another beneficiary mentioned, “The sanitary pads and school materials helped me stay in class. I no longer miss lessons, and my confidence has improved.”

Financial accountability remains central to our work. During this period, donor contributions which were donated to us to were used as follows;

1. 30% for educational support and scholastic materials.
2. 20% for community awareness and prevention activities, including distribution of materials on child marriage.
3. 30% for child protection case management and referrals.
4. 20% for monitoring, coordination, and reporting.

Your support towards our project is helping transform attitudes, protect girls from harmful practices, and create pathways to education and opportunity. Every girl who remains in school is one step closer to a future free from child marriage.

Thank you for standing with Uganda’s girls and helping them realize their full potential.

With gratitude,

Joy for Children Uganda Team

Links:

• Joy For Children Uganda Working To Eradicate Child Marriage
• Legislative Advocacy to End Child Marriage in Uganda.