Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership with Joy for Children Uganda. Because of your generosity, our Safe Space continues to be a place of healing, learning, and empowerment for young girls and teenage mothers who have faced some of life’s toughest challenges.

This past year, your support has helped us launch and sustain a powerful skills training program centered on basket weaving a culturally rooted, marketable craft that is transforming lives.

Many of the girls and young mothers who come to our Safe Space have experienced early pregnancy, domestic abuse, or have dropped out of school. They arrive feeling isolated and uncertain about their future. Through the art and discipline of basket weaving, they are finding new purpose. The process not only teaches them a practical skill but also fosters patience, creativity, and a sense of community.

In the words of one participant, 17-year-old Aisha, “Before coming here, I didn’t believe I had any value. Now, when I finish a basket, I feel proud. I know I can make something with my own hands and I can sell it to earn money for me and my child.”

So far, over 100 girls and teenage mothers have been trained in basket making. Many have begun producing and selling their crafts in local markets, gaining income and confidence. Others are teaching the skill to their peers, becoming mentors within their communities.

Our Safe Space also provides counseling, life skills, and mentorship, helping these young women heal emotionally and rebuild their sense of self-worth. This holistic approach ensures that the transformation they experience through skilling is lasting and meaningful.

Looking ahead, we plan to expand the basket making program to reach more girls, enhance the quality of materials and tools, and create a direct link to local and international markets so their work can be both sustainable and profitable. With your ongoing support, we can open even more doors of opportunity.

Thank you for helping us create a space where every girl has the chance to thrive, to create, and to dream again.