EMPOWER AND EDUCATE VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN UGANDA

*Report: Keep Jane in School*
*Theme: Preventing Dropout Through Practical Support at Gaba Hope for Kids*

Jane is 11, in Primary 3, and one of 220 children in our program across 5 rural villages. Last term she almost dropped out. Her uniform was torn, her shoes were split, and her family couldn’t afford replacements. She missed 11 days in one month and told our mentor she was ready to stay home and help with farming. This term looks different. Because of your support, Jane is in class every day, preparing for her final primary exams.

*Why Keeping Jane in School Matters*
Dropping out at Primary 6 usually means dropping out for good. Once a child misses the transition to secondary, the barriers compound: age pressure, household responsibilities, early marriage. Keeping Jane in school now protects her chance to finish primary and consider what comes next. It also sends a signal to other girls in her village that staying in school is possible.

*What Your Support Did for Jane This Term*
We focused on removing the specific barriers that were pushing her out.

1. *School Kit and Shoes*: Jane received a new uniform, shoes, notebooks, and pens before term started. She no longer worries about being sent home or mocked for worn clothes.
2. *Menstrual Health Kit*: She received reusable pads and hygiene supplies, plus a short session on menstrual health. Her attendance during her cycle improved immediately.
3. *Home Follow-up*: Our peer mentor visited Jane’s home twice in the first month to speak with her guardian about the value of finishing primary school and to link the family to support for exam fees.
4. *Mentorship and Study Support*: Jane joined our weekly mentorship group and evening homework club. She’s catching up on math and science with peer help.

*What’s Changing*
Jane’s attendance is at 100% this term. Her teacher reports she’s participating in class, submitting assignments on time, and helping other students with reading. She’s scored above 70% in two consecutive class tests for the first time this year. Her guardian says Jane now talks about sitting her PLE exams and continuing to secondary if fees can be found.

Jane’s case reflects a broader shift. Across the 220 children in our program, attendance reached 95% this month, and 17 children who had missed over a month returned after receiving kits and a home visit. Most of them are girls in upper primary, the group most at risk of dropping out.

*Challenges We’re Watching*
 Transport to remote households still slows our follow-up when a child misses a day. We also need more mentors to keep homework clubs small and effective as numbers grow.

*Next Steps to Keep Jane and Others in School*
To make sure this term’s progress sticks, we are:

1. *Raising Exam Support Funds*: Targeting fees for 22 Primary 6 students, including Jane, before November.
2. *Maintaining Mid-Term Top-ups*: Replacing worn shoes and uniforms for 60 children to prevent shame-related absences.
3. *Expanding Homework Clubs*: Training 8 new peer mentors to reach children in the two most remote villages.
4. *Tracking Weekly*: Monitoring attendance and participation so we can intervene within 48 hours of a missed day.

*Conclusion*
Keeping Jane in school isn’t about one kit or one visit. It’s about removing the barriers that make dropping out feel like the only option, and replacing them with support that makes staying possible. This term, that support is working.

*Call to Action*
Help us keep Jane and 21 other Primary 6 students in class through their exams. A contribution today covers fees, materials, and follow-up that turn a near-dropout into a graduate.

*Report: You Answered Their Cry – A Future Restored*
*Theme: How Your Support Is Changing Lives at Gaba Hope for Kids*

At Gaba Hope for Kids, we work with 220 orphaned and vulnerable children aged 10-16 across 5 rural villages. Many of them came to us after months or years out of school, sent home for missing uniforms, hungry in class, or staying home to care for younger siblings. They were not just missing lessons. They were losing the chance at a different future. This term, that is changing.

*Why Their Cry Matters*
When a child misses school repeatedly, it is rarely because they do not care. It is because a barrier made showing up impossible. Hunger, shame over worn clothes, lack of sanitary supplies, pressure to work at home. Each barrier sends the message that school is not for them. Answering that cry means removing the barrier and following through so the child stays.

*What Your Support Made Possible This Term*
We used your support to close the gaps that keep children out of class and to rebuild confidence once they are back.

1. *Full Term Kits for All 220 Children*: Uniforms, shoes, notebooks, and pens were distributed before term started. No child was sent home in week one for missing materials.
2. *Menstrual Health Kits for 110 Girls*: Reusable pads, soap, and education sessions reduced period-related absences by 16% compared to last term.
3. *Daily Nutrition for 120 Children*: Porridge at our learning center improved concentration and reduced mid-morning drop-off.
4. *Targeted Re-enrollment*: 17 children who had been out of school for over a month returned after home visits and kit distribution.
5. *Mentorship and Safe Spaces*: Weekly groups gave children space to talk about challenges, set goals, and support each other. Peer mentors also did home follow-ups within 48 hours of any absence.

*What Is Changing*
Program-wide attendance reached 95% this month, the highest this year. Teachers report more participation, fewer discipline issues, and students helping each other. Caregivers say children are more open at home and talk about school with pride.

For children like Ester, 13, and David, 15, the change is visible. Both had missed over a month of school last term. Both are now attending daily, completing homework, and talking about finishing primary school. Their futures are not guaranteed yet, but they are back on the path.

*Challenges We Are Still Working Through*
Rising costs mean our budget covers fewer children per term than last year. Transport to remote households slows our response when a child misses class. We also need 8 more trained peer mentors to keep follow-up consistent as the program grows.

*Next Steps to Restore More Futures*
To make sure no child slips back, we are:

1. *Fundraising for Mid-Term Top-ups*: Replace worn shoes and uniforms for 60 children before exams.
2. *Expanding Mentor Coverage*: Train and deploy 8 new mentors in the two most remote villages.
3. *Strengthening Follow-up*: Keep weekly attendance tracking and 48-hour check-ins for any missed day.
4. *Sharing Progress*: Send monthly updates with attendance data and stories so supporters can see what their help achieves.

*Conclusion*
You answered their cry by making sure 220 children started this term prepared, supported, and expected in class. That is how a future gets restored: one child, one barrier removed, one day at a time. The momentum is here. What we do next determines if it holds.

*Call to Action*
Help us finish the term strong and secure supplies for next term. Your continued support keeps children in class and their futures open.