Empower Life - Inclusive quality education

by Jeremiah Lucas Opira Foundation (JLOF) Sweden

Project Report | Aug 28, 2026
Progress Report May - August 2026

By Gertrude Opira | Project Leader

Empower Life Project - Progress Update May-August 2026

Dear Friends,

We are deeply grateful for your continued support of the Empower Life Project in Northern Uganda. Between May and August 2026, our work continued to connect inclusive education with gender equality, community participation and the well-being of children and families. The period also reinforced an important lesson: lasting change grows when schools, families, local leaders and positive role models work together.

Progress Made

Inclusive learning and community participation: We continued engaging schools and community structures around the barriers that prevent children - particularly girls and children with disabilities - from participating fully in education. This approach keeps local ownership at the centre of the project and links improvements in learning conditions with dignity, safety and inclusion.
Positive role models for young people: Following the National Champions Advancing Inclusion Award held in April 2026, 24 recognised male champions from 14 districts entered this period with greater visibility and practical advocacy tools. Their examples show children and communities that men and boys can actively promote fairness, non-violence, shared responsibility and respect for women and girls.
Gender equality through schools and public dialogue: The wider campaign engaged students, teachers and education institutions through school outreach, creative performances, storytelling and public discussion. These methods make difficult topics easier for young people to understand and help create safer spaces for them to express their views.
Mental health and well-being: During Men's Mental Health Month in June 2026, the work expanded to include discussion of men's emotional well-being. This created a constructive entry point for conversations about positive masculinity, help-seeking and healthier relationships within families and communities.
Communication for wider reach: Radio, bilingual messaging in English and Luo, social media and creative arts continued to carry messages on inclusion beyond physical meetings. A documentary featuring the recognised champions was also advanced as a reusable resource for future school and community learning sessions.

Challenges Still Ahead

Teacher accommodation: The shortage of suitable housing continues to make it difficult for rural schools to attract and retain teachers. Support is still needed for the first four housing units at Pajong Primary School.
Safe and accessible learning facilities: Schools continue to need reliable solar power, classroom furniture, accessible sanitation and safe washing facilities. These are essential for regular attendance, especially for girls and children with disabilities.
From awareness to lasting change: Public dialogue can shift attitudes, but changing long-established gender norms and exclusionary practices requires patient follow-up. The champions, schools and local government partners need continued support to turn new knowledge into sustained behaviour.

Community Spirit

Families, teachers, local leaders, civil society partners, media practitioners and community advocates continue to contribute their time, knowledge and locally available materials. Their commitment demonstrates that communities are not waiting passively for change; they are helping to lead it. External support remains vital for the items and technical inputs that communities cannot provide themselves.

How You Can Help

Donate: Support Empower Life on GlobalGiving (Empower Life - Inclusive Quality Education).
Fundraise: Organise a small event or online campaign to help provide safer, more inclusive learning environments.
Volunteer: Share skills in fundraising, grant writing, communications or programme support by contacting info@jlof.net.

Together, we can help children in Kitgum and Mucwini learn in safe, inclusive schools, supported by motivated teachers and communities that value every child's potential.

Thank you for believing in this vision and for being part of the change.

With deep gratitude,

The JLOF Team

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Apr 30, 2026
Celebrating Gender Equality Champions

By Gertrude Opira | Project Leader

Executive Director at Award Ceremony

Continuing the Journey with Purpose

As we move through the first months of the year, we remain deeply grateful for the continued support and partnership that drive our work. Building on the strong foundation highlighted in our previous report, we have continued to expand opportunities for young people and communities, with a sustained focus on education, youth leadership, and gender equality.

1. Strengthening Access to Quality Education

We continued to support the effective use of the Resource Centre at Archbishop Loum Primary School in Pajong, building on earlier investments in solar power and digital equipment.
Key progress includes:
- Increased utilization of digital learning tools
- Continued improvement in digital literacy skills
- Enhanced access to inclusive learning resources for both girls and boys

2. Amplifying Youth Voices and Leadership

We sustained momentum from the Jeremiah Lucas Opira Memorial Essay Contest through mentorship, youth-led discussions, and continued engagement. Young participants demonstrated growing confidence in addressing gender equality, social inclusion, and community responsibility.

3. Advancing Gender Equality and Advocacy Efforts

We continued community sensitization on gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence, alongside youth-led discussions challenging harmful norms.

Highlight: Celebrating Gender Equality Champions

A major highlight was the award ceremony held in April at Acholi Inn in Gulu, where 10 Gender Equality Champions were recognized. These included young leaders, teachers, school leaders, and community members. Their impact included awareness discussions, encouraging girls’ participation, and promoting inclusive behavior. This recognition strengthens a growing network committed to dignity, safety, and equal opportunity for all.

4. Partnerships that Sustain Impact

Our work continues to thrive through strong collaboration with schools, community leaders, volunteers, and dedicated donors. These partnerships are central to our impact, enabling us to deliver meaningful and sustainable change within the communities we serve.

The progress achieved during this reporting period reflects a shared commitment to a common vision. From local leaders and educators to volunteers and supporters, each contribution plays a vital role in advancing our mission and strengthening community ownership.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding inclusive education, strengthening youth leadership, and advancing gender equality initiatives. We look forward to building on this progress together and deepening our collective impact in the months ahead.

Your contributions go far beyond funding—they open doors of opportunity, restore dignity, and ignite hope for a brighter future. Through your partnership, more children gain access to education, more young people find the confidence to lead, and communities move closer to a future where gender equality is not just envisioned, but lived.

We invite you to continue this journey with us. By deepening your support - through partnership, advocacy, or investment,- you can help scale our impact and reach even more communities in need. Together, we can build a future defined by dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all.

Attachments:

Progess Report - April 2026 (PDF)

2 Attachments

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Dec 31, 2025
Thank You for Being Part of Our Impact

By Gertrude Opira | Project Leader

Entering the New Year with gratitude - Thank you for your support

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we want to pause and express our sincere gratitude to you.

Your generosity and trust throughout the past year have made a meaningful difference. In a time shaped by uncertainty and global challenges, your support has shown the power of solidarity and shared responsibility. Because of you, we have been able to continue working alongside communities, schools, and young people, turning commitment into lasting impact.

Together in 2025, we achieved the following:

1. Strengthened access to quality education

We enhanced educational opportunities by strengthening the Resource Centre at Archbishop Loum Primary School in Pajong. This included the installation of solar power, as well as the provision of a laptop and a three-in-one printer. These improvements are already contributing to:

Improved digital literacy among pupils and teachers
Increased administrative efficiency within the school
Greater support for e-learning through access to digital educational materials

Overall, this initiative is helping to expand access to quality education for both boys and girls in Pajong, while laying the foundation for inclusive and sustainable learning.

2. Amplified youth voices and leadership

Through the annual Jeremiah Lucas Opira Memorial Essay Contest, we provided a safe and inclusive platform for young people to articulate their ideas, share their perspectives, and engage meaningfully with issues affecting their lives and communities. The contest encouraged participants to think critically, research thoughtfully, and express themselves with confidence, strengthening essential skills such as analysis, communication, and problem-solving.

By focusing on themes such as gender equality, social inclusion, and social responsibility, the initiative empowered young people to reflect on societal norms, challenge harmful stereotypes, and propose positive solutions for more equitable communities. Beyond academic development, the contest fostered civic awareness and leadership, helping young participants recognize their voices as powerful tools for change and active citizenship.

2. Advanced gender equality and advocacy efforts

We continued to promote gender equality through community engagement and advocacy, including recognition through a Gender Champion nomination and active participation in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. These efforts reflect the strength of our shared commitment to dignity, safety, and equal opportunity for all.

Partnerships that make impact possible

These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our partners, donors like you, alongside volunteers, local leaders, schools, and community members, working together toward a shared vision of long-term change.

As we enter the new year, we remain deeply grateful for your continued support. Your contributions go beyond funding projects; they help build opportunity, dignity, and hope for the future.

We look forward to continuing this journey together in the year ahead.

With sincere appreciation and best wishes for a healthy, peaceful, and impactful New Year!

With deep gratitude,
The JLOF Team

Attachments:

Empower_Life__Report_December_2025.pdf (PDF)

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