By Joseph Apetu | Team Leader
In rural Eastern Uganda, the journey to school is often long, exhausting, and unsafe—especially for girls. Many walk up to 8 kilometers each day, arriving late, tired, and sometimes discouraged from continuing their education altogether.
For Caroline, this was her daily reality.
Each morning, she would leave home before sunrise to begin the long walk to school. Along the way, she often faced harassment from boda boda riders offering rides with inappropriate expectations. By the time she arrived, she was already exhausted, making it difficult to concentrate in class. In the evenings, after walking back home, she still had to help with household chores—cooking, fetching water, and caring for younger siblings—leaving little time for homework.
At one point, Caroline began to consider dropping out of school.
Everything changed when she received a bicycle through Resilient Villages Uganda’s education access initiative.
With her bicycle, Caroline now reaches school in a fraction of the time. She arrives early, alert, and ready to learn. The daily journey that once filled her with fear has been replaced with confidence and independence.
Her teachers have noticed a significant improvement in her participation and performance. At home, she is now able to better balance her responsibilities while still dedicating time to her studies.
Most importantly, Caroline feels safe.
“I no longer fear the road to school. Now I have time to study and dream. I want to become a teacher and help other children like me.”
Caroline’s story reflects a broader transformation happening across the community. With improved mobility, girls are staying in school longer, performing better academically, and gaining the confidence to pursue their ambitions.
A simple bicycle is doing more than shortening distances—it is restoring dignity, improving safety, and opening doors to opportunity.
However, many more girls are still waiting.
With your continued support, we can reach more students like Caroline, ensuring that distance and danger are no longer barriers to education.
Together, we are not just changing how children get to school—we are changing their future.
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