Educate and Empower Girls and Women of Acholi

INTRODUCTION

The girl child education project in Kitgum District is funded by The River fund. The project is implemented by River fund HIV IDS support women association, a CBO based in Kitgum district Northern Uganda. The women association envisions and just and caring society where people yearn to help one another. The association has been working hand in hand with the RIVER Fund USA, the body that has the values of compassion sharing and love

Payment of school fees:

Previously the project was sponsoring 11girls one additional an orphan was enrolled after an appeal by her school bring to 12.

All school dues for these girls have been completed. Currently the girls are located as follows

• Kitgum comprehensive college ……………………2 girls
• YY Okot Memorial college    ………………………5 girls
• St. Bakhita Secondary School ………………………5 girls

Distribution of sanitary pads:

Sanitary pads are essential items needed to aid girls not to miss class during menstruation. Each of the 12girls was thus provided with 4packets each.

Mentoring Girls:

The 10girls at St. Bakhita and YY Okot Memorial College each has mentors who are members of the women association at Kitgum comprehensive college, the 2girls share one mentor

Only one mentorship visit was made to each of the school instead of the usual three.

This was due to congested calendars. Schools were busy with the sport, drama and essay writing competitions.

Mentors counsel and guide girls both on personal and academic matters as well as encouraging them to work hard and aim higher.

Activities carried out.

Life skills training for the girls due to shortage of funds, was not conducted

Challenges

• Some of the sponsored girls who have completed their secondary schooling and would like to join treasury institution are approaching the association
• Gaps in knowledge and skills of the mentors. While all members of the association have been trained in counseling, only one person has undergone training in mentoring

 Recommendation

Should funding be available in future, girls could be helped to undertake post-secondary education which leads to acquisition of employable skills.

Conclusion

On my own behalf and that of the executive committee and the women association I wish to call for blessings on all the hands that give Global Giving and The River Fund.