Empowering Ugandan youth through Arts Education

Thank you for your continued support of our school fees campaign. Because of your support, students at our partner high school are not only able to remain in school, but are also gaining practical skills that extend learning beyond the classroom and into their homes and communities. 

One of the initiatives students are participating in is the school’s Greening School initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) . As part of this program, the school has established a nursery bed where students grow fruit tree seedlings. These seedlings are shared with students and their families to plant at home. 

Through this hands-on experience, students learn about environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, and climate responsibility. Fruit trees play a critical role in improving soil health and supporting the environment, while also providing families with access to nutritious food. During certain seasons, excess fruit can be sold, offering families an additional source of income.

By taking these seedlings home, students become messengers of change encouraging their families to adopt sustainable practices and showing how local solutions can address nutritional and economic challenges within their communities.

Your donations to this school fees campaign go far beyond covering tuition. Our community is deeply grateful for your support. 

During the early stages of envisioning EarlyBIrd256’s creative education space, our focus was on helping girls find their voices, dream bigger, and feel safe. As we engaged more deeply with the communities we serve, it became clear that boys also needed a safe space to express themselves and grow alongside the girls. 

Six years later, many of the boys who first entered our space are now young men who not only know how to express themselves but also respect and engage with the needs and issues that affect women in their communities. Beyond accessing opportunities for continued education, we are encouraged to see many of them giving back in meaningful ways. 

One example is now Senior 4 candidate Akamada, who runs a small samosa stand in Kamuli Town with the support of his brother while he continues his education. At the beginning of every term, Akamada buys his school supplies and additionally contributes shs 10,000 (about $30) from his earnings to Earlybird256, helping to support the very programs that shaped his journey. 

Stories like Akamada’s remind us that mental health and access to creative, safe spaces are not just a girls’ issue. In Uganda, where more than 75% of the population is under 30 and resources are limited, boys also need spaces to unwind, feel heard, and be supported. 

Building a healthier, more resilient Uganda means including all young people in the conversation and ensuring they have access to the resources they need to thrive. We are deeply grateful for the support that makes this work possible.