EMPOWER AND EDUCATE VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN UGANDA

*Report: Six Children Empowered Through Education Support*
*Theme: Small Steps, Big Futures at Gaba Hope for Kids*

This term, six children in our program crossed a barrier that once kept them out of class. With focused education support, they are now attending daily, joining lessons, and preparing for exams. Six is a small number, but for these families it means a child stays in school instead of staying home to work.

*Who These Six Children Are*
They live in 3 of the 5 villages we serve. All six had missed more than 10 days last term because of the same challenges we see across the program: no uniform or shoes, no notebooks, pressure to work at home, and for the girls, no menstrual supplies. Three had been out of school for over a month before we stepped in.

*What Education Support Looked Like*
We did not just hand out books. We removed the exact barriers keeping each child away:

1. *Complete School Kits*: Each child received a uniform, shoes, notebooks, pens, and a school bag before term started. No child was sent home in week one for missing materials.
2. *Menstrual Health Kits*: The 4 girls received reusable pads, soap, and a short training on menstrual health. Period-related absences stopped completely.
3. *Home + Guardian Visits*: Our peer mentors visited each home twice. We spoke with guardians about finishing primary school and connected families to support for exam fees.
4. *Study Groups + Mentoring*: All six joined weekly study groups. Two children who were behind in math and reading received one-on-one tutoring from older peer mentors.

*What Is Changing For Them*
Attendance for these six is now at 98 percent this term. Teachers say they raise their hands, turn in homework, and help other students. Test results improved too: four children scored above 65 percent in their last math and science tests, up from below 40 percent last term.

One girl told her mentor: “I used to worry about my clothes. Now I worry about my grades.” That change matters. When basic needs are met, children can focus on learning.

This also protects their future. Leaving school in upper primary often means leaving for good. By keeping these six in class now, we protect their chance to sit national exams and move to secondary school.

*Next Steps To Keep The Momentum*
To make sure these six do not fall back, we need to:
1. *Mid-term Replacements*: Provide new shoes for 3 children before exams.
2. *Exam Fee Support*: Help 2 children register for national exams.
3. *Ongoing Mentoring*: Keep study groups running so peer support stays strong.

*Closing*
Six children empowered through education support means six futures back on track. It shows that practical help at the right time changes everything. When we remove the barriers, children show up and learn.

*Call to Action*
Want to help us do this for six more children next term? Your support provides a full school kit plus mentoring for one child for a full term. Reply “Empower” and we will share profiles of children waiting for support.

Every child deserves to worry about grades, not uniforms.