Child Protection Uganda Project #18515

Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls

by Joy for Children-Uganda

Project Report | Dec 2, 2024
Protecting Young Girls from Teenage Pregnancies Through Skills Development

By Atim Racheal | Fundraiser

Dear Esteemed Donors,

At Joy for Children Uganda, we are dedicated to protecting young girls from the challenges of teenage pregnancies and child marriages through transformative skills development programs. These programs are designed to provide girls, particularly those out of school or on holiday, with valuable skills that empower them to create brighter, independent futures. Your ongoing support has been crucial in making this vision a reality.

In many communities across Uganda, teenage pregnancies and child marriages are barriers to girls' health, education, and future opportunities. In response, we have established safe spaces where young girls can gather, learn, and develop life-changing skills that will help them avoid early pregnancies and marriages. Through our skills development programs, including basket making and other vocational training, these girls are gaining the confidence and independence needed to break free from the pressures of early adulthood.

By focusing on both out-of-school girls and those on school holidays, we ensure that the most vulnerable populations are included in this crucial initiative. These girls, often at risk of early marriage or pregnancy, are offered not just technical skills but also mentorship, counseling, and education on their rights and personal development. This holistic approach enables them to better understand the dangers of early pregnancies and the importance of education, while also preparing them for financial independence.

The results have been encouraging. Many of the girls who have participated in our programs have developed a renewed sense of self-worth and purpose. They are no longer passive victims of their circumstances but active agents of change in their communities. The skills they acquire help them build their own livelihoods, ensuring that they have options and opportunities to thrive outside of early marriages and pregnancies.

However, there is still much work to be done. The need for safe spaces and skills development opportunities continues to grow, and with your support, we can expand our reach and provide even more girls with the tools to shape their futures. Your contributions directly fund these programs, helping us to extend our work to more communities and give more girls the chance to succeed.

Thank you for your continued commitment to this important cause. Together, we are building a future where young girls are no longer constrained by early pregnancies or marriages but are empowered to lead their communities toward a brighter and more equal future.

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Nov 25, 2024
Supporting Teenage Pregnancy Survivors in Returning to School

By Atim Racheal | Fundraiser

Dear Esteemed Donors,

We are pleased to provide an update on our ongoing efforts to support survivors of teenage pregnancies as they prepare to re-enroll in school. Thanks to your continued support, Joy for Children Uganda is making strides in creating pathways for young mothers to regain access to education and work towards brighter futures.

Teenage pregnancy continues to be a significant challenge in Uganda, often leading to the disruption of education, social stigma, and economic hardship. Our initiative focuses on addressing these challenges by helping young mothers who had previously dropped out of school due to pregnancy to re-enter the education system. The goal is to empower these young women by providing them with the tools, resources, and support needed to break the cycle of early pregnancies and poverty through education.

As part of this initiative, we have identified teenage mothers who have dropped out of school due to pregnancy and are working with local schools to facilitate their re-enrollment. While the re-enrollment process is ongoing, we are ensuring that these young mothers will receive the support they need to succeed academically. This includes collaborating with schools to create flexible schedules that allow them to balance their educational commitments with their responsibilities as parents.

Although we do not offer daycare services, we are committed to providing psychosocial support to help the young mothers manage the challenges they face in returning to school. We understand that these young women often deal with emotional stress, social stigma, and feelings of isolation, so we are offering counseling services and peer support groups. These initiatives help them navigate the complexities of balancing education and motherhood, while also fostering resilience and self-esteem.

In addition to psychosocial support, we are working to ensure that the young mothers receive the necessary educational resources to ease their return to school. This includes providing uniforms, books, and transport stipends, which are essential for their continued education. By addressing both the emotional and material needs of these young mothers, we are creating an environment that supports their educational success and overall well-being.

While the re-enrollment process is still underway, we have seen a positive response from the young mothers. Many of them are eager and determined to return to school, and their enthusiasm has been inspiring. They are motivated to create better futures for themselves and their children, and the feedback we have received from them has been overwhelmingly positive.

However, we are also aware of the ongoing challenges. Stigma surrounding teenage motherhood remains a significant barrier, and many young mothers continue to face discrimination both within schools and in their communities. Also , financial constraints are a persistent challenge, with many of these young women struggling to provide for their children while pursuing their education. Continuous support will be necessary to ensure that they are able to stay in school and succeed.

Looking ahead, we plan to expand our efforts to support more teenage mothers, collaborating with additional schools and community organizations to provide them with the necessary resources and opportunities. We will continue to focus on providing flexible educational solutions and psychosocial support to help them thrive both academically and personally.

We are deeply grateful for your generous contributions, which have made this program possible. Together, we are helping young mothers regain control of their futures and empowering them to overcome the challenges of teenage pregnancy through education. We look forward to continuing our work with your support and creating even more opportunities for young mothers in need.

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Oct 25, 2024
POST-INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD (IDGC) CELEBRATION

By Atim Racheal | Fundraiser

We are excited to share the outcomes of our recent post-International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) celebrations, themed “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” This event, held on 24^th October, 2024, provided a platform for girls to voice their challenges and aspirations. We engaged civil society organizations (CSOs), government representatives, educators, and the girls themselves, to address critical issues affecting girls in our society.

The celebrations took place at Skyz Hotel Naguru, bringing together over 30 participants. We were honored to have Mr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the Minister of Youth and Children Affairs, as the guest of honor. His presence and insights greatly enriched the discussions surrounding girls’ rights and protection.

The objectives of the event included creating a safe space for girls to express their issues and aspirations, facilitating dialogue between girls and influential figures in the community regarding girls' rights and protection, and raising awareness about the systemic issues affecting girls' education and safety.

During the event, girls shared personal stories addressing various challenges, including access to education, safety and security concerns, and health and well-being issues. They spoke about barriers to school attendance, economic hardships and harassment

A key highlight was the panel discussion featuring prominent representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, local police, and CSOs. Panelists included Mrs. Mary Mutende Commissioner for Basic Education, Ministry of Education and sports, Mr. Iddi Mayanja, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, SSP Adeke Esher Tumusiime Uganda Police Child and Family Protection Unit, and Lillian Nalwoga, Senior program Manager MEMPROW. The discussion provided valuable insights into government policies aimed at promoting girls' education and safety, the legal protections available to them, and the importance of community engagement in safeguarding girls’ rights.

Following the panel, a preliminary dialogue session allowed girls to pose questions directly to the panelists. This engagement fostered empowerment and encouraged open dialogue about their rights and future prospects.

The event resulted in empowered voices, with many girls expressing feeling heard and validated, reporting increased confidence in discussing their rights and challenges. The involvement of key stakeholders highlighted a commitment to addressing the issues raised and working collaboratively to support girls in our community. Additionally, panelists provided actionable recommendations for ongoing support, including mentorship programs and policy advocacy.

The “Girls’ Vision for the Future” celebrations were a profound success, encouraging an environment where girls felt empowered to share their experiences and engage with influential community leaders. Your generous support has been instrumental in creating a platform for change and advocacy for girls’ rights in Uganda. We extend our sincere gratitude to all donors, volunteers, and partners who made this event possible. Your commitment to the empowerment of girls is invaluable. Thank you for your continued support!

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