All Girls Should Be Able to Go to School!

*HEALTH EDUCATION - THE PILLAR OF SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT*
*Gaba Hope for Kids - Gaba, Kampala*

Health education is not an extra. It is the foundation. Without health, a child cannot learn. Without learning, a community cannot rise.

In Gaba, we see this daily with our 520 learners and 180 girls.

*1. At Child Level:*
A girl who knows about menstrual hygiene stays 22 more days in school per year. A boy who knows about handwashing misses less class. When we teach health in Luganda + English using pictures, attendance went from 65% to 98% for girls like Esther.

*2. At Family Level:*
When a mother learns about balanced diet using local fish, greens, posho - she feeds 5 children better on same income. When father learns about safe water, clinic visits drop by half.

*3. At Society Level:*
- Healthy children become present learners
- Present learners become skilled youth
- Skilled youth become earning parents who teach next generation

This is how Gaba fishing community breaks cycle of street life.

*Our 4 Pillars in Gaba:*

- *Preventive:* Handwashing stations, dignity kits, clean water talks every Monday assembly
- *Practical:* Girls make reusable pads, boys build tippy-taps from jerrycans
- *Peer-led:* Esther (P7) teaches 3 younger girls - children listen to children
- *Parent-linked:* Health messages go home via homework books

*Feedback from community:*
> "Before, we thought health is for clinic only. Now we teach at center and at home." - Gaba parent

*Call:* If you build schools without health education, you build empty classrooms. If you build health education, you build a society.

For Gaba Hope for Kids, health education is how 12 former street children stayed in class this term - not just books, but knowledge to stay well.

*GABA HOPE FOR KIDS*
Gaba, Kampala, Uganda

*REPORT: BUILDING DIGITAL SKILLS FOR ESTHER*
*Reporting Period: Aug - Sept 2026*
*Prepared for: Feedback Labs & Donors*

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*1. Executive Summary:*
Esther, 15, P7 learner and one of 180 vulnerable girls in Gaba Hope for Kids program, completed 12-week basic digital literacy track using shared center tablet/laptop. From zero computer experience to typing, reading digital books, and peer-teaching.

*2. Background:*
Esther missed 22 school days in Term 1 due to lack of dignity kits and learning materials. Re-enrolled after Gaba Hope for Kids intervention. Selected for digital skills pilot because she is strong reader and wants to be teacher. No smartphone at home, low-income fishing family.

*3. Activities Completed:*
- Weeks 1-3: Computer basics, mouse/keyboard, safety rules
- Weeks 4-6: Offline reading - 8 books on African Storybook app, typed homework
- Weeks 7-12: Created Literacy Day poster, typed own story "My Life in Gaba", taught 3 younger girls

*4. Results:*
- Typing speed: 0 to 12 WPM
- Books read digitally: 8
- Homework submitted via center WhatsApp: 15 times
- Girls peer-trained by Esther: 3
- Attendance: 98% in Term 2 (up from 65%)

*5. Feedback from Esther:*
> "Before I feared computer. Now I write my story. I want to teach other girls in Gaba to read on tablet."

*6. Challenges:*
- Only 1 tablet for 520 learners - limited time (30 mins/day)
- Power cuts in Gaba
- No internet most days - used offline apps

*7. Next Steps:*
- Keep Esther as Girls Reading Leader
- Pair with woman mentor in Kampala
- Need: 2 more tablets + solar charger + monthly 20GB data

*Submitted by:* Program Lead, Gaba Hope for Kids
*Date:* Sept 17, 2026