Educate and Empower Girls and Women of Acholi

Background.

The River Fund HIV/AIDs Family Support Association is a Community Based Organization (CBO) founded in 2007 by committed and motivated women to contribute towards improving the quality of life of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, through educating and empowering the women and girls on HIV/AIDs Long Term Survival Skills and sponsorship and mentorship of girls in schools, economic empowerment and livelihood food security enhancement for a sustainable development for self-reliance through seeds provision, training in kitchen gardening and support to malnourished children through provision of trainings in provision of nutritious meals, and provision of basic items like soap, sugar, cooking oil, salt.

The organisation envisions a just and caring society where people yearn to help one another and realize that every human being is connected to one another for a change in the world with values such as: sharing, Love, Non-Discrimination, Humility, Peace, Non Violence, Justice, Inclusiveness, Service, Dedication, Honesty, Transparency, and Compassion.

Activities carried out this quarter.

1. Mentorship of the students by mentors and the project leader
2. Provision of sanitary towels to the beneficiaries.

1. Mentorship of the students.
During school term III, the students were mentored by their mentors and project leader. These mentorship meetings focused more on guiding the students on what career they intend to undertake after their secondary education. As a result of the meetings, 3 of the 9 girls in Ordinary level intend to become teachers and plan to join primary teachers’ college after UCE results are out while the other 6 plan on continuing to Advanced level in their Secondary Education as that will give them clearer path on what career they can undertake in life.

2. Provision of Sanitary Pads.
As term III begun, the girls were supported with sanitary towels. This is key in promoting their personal hygiene. Each student received 03 packets meant to take them for the whole term.

Achievements.

• Of the21 students being supported, 09 sat for Uganda certificate of education (UCE), 04 are now in their final year at Primary Teachers’ College and 08 are in their final year of Advanced level in Secondary Education.

• 21 girls supported in Career guidance by the academic masters in which subjects they must concentrate on to achieve their desired careers.

• 21 girls supported with Sanitary towels; 3 packets each for term III.

Way Forward.

• Continue supporting those already in the program.
• Provide a full package for the girls being supported. This package shall include tuition fees, scholastic materials such as books, and pens in addition to sanitary items.
• Where funds are available enroll more 10 girls in the program.

Testimonies.

I am forever grateful to the River Fund and Global Giving Team for their support towards my education.Thank you so much in changing my life and bringing hope in my life through the financial support in paying my tuition fees for the past 03 years. Through hard work and determination I will complete my year two (final year) in primary teaching this year. I look forward to becoming a blessing in many other lives through my teaching profession. I am so humbled of your love and support towards my education and many other disadvantaged girls from my region. May God continue to bless you and the works of of your hands.
Joyce- Kitgum CORE Primary Teachers’ College.

The favorite thing about this sponsorship is that I have been given an opportunity to better my future by continuing with my education and reduce on my chances of dropping out of school an opportunity which other vulnerable girls do not have. I want to be a role model for other girls and a leader too. My desired goal in life is to study Law at the University and become a Lawyer which I believe will put me in a position to support many lives. For this I am forever grateful to the River Fund and the Global Giving team for your financial support towards my education.
Orsula – Archbishop Flyn Sec. School Pader.

Conclusion.
Girls’ education is an investment which should be taken up by every parent or nation. The challenge though is that some parents are unable to support their daughters in school due to poverty and many other constraints. Yet investing in girl’s education means her future is secured in terms of income, delayed marriage, having fewer and healthier children as well as she becoming a change agent for her society. To make this possible, a lot still needs to be done. This however requires funding support for such vulnerable girls to enable them achieve their dreams in life.

We are so thankful to Global Giving and the River Fund for this support. We could not have done this without all of your help!"