All Ugandan girls should be able to go to school!

Like many countries in the world, Uganda experienced a very strict lockdown in the spring of 2020, which helped to reduce the spread of the pandemic (although at considerable social and economic cost, especially for those already living in poverty). 

On June 6th, 2021, following a substantial rise in COVID-19 cases, the President announced a second lockdown. Restrictions were further tightened on June 19thfor a further 42 days. At present all Ugandan schools are closed, there is a strict curfew in place and only essential workers with permits are allowed to move. 

In these challenging conditions, Nyaka continues to work to support students, grandmothers and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) survivors, whilst taking all possible precautions to protect our community and follow government directives. 

 We are:

• Distributing soap and masks to grandmothers and Nyaka students 
• Providing health care via our community clinics
• Providing medical care and support to survivors of SGBV
• Providing counselling to students and others in need of support
• Providing sanitary towels for girls and young women
• Providing access to educational materials and library books. 
• Sharing health education messages about COVID-19 via radio programming and other platforms
• Distributing emergency food supplies

From everyone at Nyaka in Uganda, we thank you for your continued support!

Links:

• Nyaka Website

In light of yesterday marking the beginning of International Women’s Week, we want to highlight just a few of the wonderful girls and young women within our schools that wake up each day to fight relentless adversity to receive an education in order to better their lives and the lives around them.

Anisha:

16-year-old Anisha has been at Nyaka for the last eight years of her life! Anisha’s primary caregiver is her aunt because both her parents passed away. Although Anisha wanted to attend school, unfortunately, Anisha’s aunt did not have the income to cover her school tuition fees. Anisha ultimately joined our Primary school because she and her aunt heard an announcement over the radio that Nyaka Primary School wanted pupils to join the Nursery class. Due to her family's situation, Anisha had once lost hope of being happy again since her parents' passing, but she was happy once she joined Nyaka. Since joining Nyaka, Anisha’s life has changed for the better.

Amelia:

Amelia was just seven years old when a community member told her grandmother how Nyaka school offers free education to vulnerable children. Once her grandmother enrolled her, she became an avid reader and loved to discover new words. Her love of reading led her to join the Nyaka debate club with her advanced vocabulary. Nyaka helped Amelia gain the confidence to speak in public. Because of the life-changing education she's receiving, she wants to become an advocate to speak up for other children and she dreams of becoming a nurse.

Elizabeth:

When Elizabeth was just five years old, her dad passed away. Leaving  Elizabeth’s mom to care for her as a single parent. Her mom did the best she could to allow Elizabeth to live her best life. One year after her dad's passing, Elizabeth was admitted into the Nyaka Primary School. Elizabeth and her mother we’re so happy that Elizabeth would not only receive a great education, but it would cost their family nothing. Unfortunately, soon after Elizabeth started school, her mother fell ill and passed away leaving Elizabeth no other choice, but to live with her aunt. In spite, the unfortunate passing of her mom and dad, Elizabeth is grateful to be receiving an education. Elizabeth dreams of becoming a doctor one day. 

For students like Anisha, Amelia, and Elizabeth, Nyaka provides the needed resources for them to attend school to receive a life-changing education. 

Your support helps us reach more vulnerable girls in rural Uganda in order to utilize education to unlock their full potential and enable them access to a brighter future.

Thank you!

Links:

• Nyaka Website