Supporting vulnerable children in Uganda's slums

Feeding - Distributing Food Parcels

In the Spring Quarterly Update we shared with you that we had recently launched our Feeding Futures appeal to combat the ongoing cost of living crisis in Uganda. With thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters, we have now raised an incredible £19,900, enabling us to provide 46,640 meals to families in need!

This quarter, we have distributed 954 food parcels to help families who are struggling to access food during this difficult time. Each package contains staples such as maize flour, matooke and other basic household items like soap and sugar. Local community leaders expressed their gratitude and emphasised how much our support is needed during this crisis:

“We thank the entire Kids Club Kampala organisation for always looking out and helping our communities." - Local Council Chairman

However, despite all of these incredible achievements the food crisis in Uganda is still ongoing. Last month our Executive Director, Sam Wambayo, released a statement regarding the food crisis in which he stated: 

"Although the future can seem unpredictable, there is one thing we can be sure of, this situation will get worse before it gets better."

Educating - Child Enrolments

This is the first quarter since 2019 in which children have been able to enjoy three months of uninterrupted learning! This has meant we have been able to focus on enrolling more children on our education programmes; with 5 new children joining our Encouraging Education Project and 2 more children enrolled on our School Sponsorship Programme.

“My child was 5 years old but had never been to school because I was unable to afford her education. When I learnt about the opportunity for free education at Kids Club Kampala's Encouraging Education Project, I enrolled her immediately. She can now write her name which is great progress, for saying she had never stepped in a classroom before.”  - *Rachel, parent of a child enrolled on our Encouraging Education Project

Protecting -  Being a Teenager in Kampala 

What is it like being a teenager in Kampala’s slums? We all know that becoming a teenager comes with changes, new experiences and navigating the unknown into adulthood. For teens growing up in Kampala’s slums, there are added challenges. As Kids Club Kampala turns 13 this year, we’ve asked teens on our project to share what it’s like being a teenager in the slums.

"Being a teenage girl, growing up in the slums, it can be hard. At times, I can feel unsafe when there are strangers around. I have learnt a lot from Kids Club Kampala’s projects, like reading the Bible, learning how to respond to men who make me feel unsafe and how to deal with many other problems in life through the counselling and guidance sessions. I also enjoy sharing what I learn with my friends. 

I dream of becoming a neurosurgeon in the future. I want to take my parents out of the slum for good and start an organisation just like Kids Club Kampala to help other people in the slums." - *Emma

Girls like *Emma face struggles everyday within Kampala’s slums such as insecurity, forced marriage and teenage pregnancy. Our Teens project ensures that young girls and women are empowered and can access the support they need in order to thrive as they grow up.

"I was born here in Katanga slum. I live with my parents and play with my friends. Life is ok. I go to the Saturday Kids Club and enjoy playing football. When I grow up, I hope to play for one of the big teams. I also love the bible study sessions and learning how to praise God. I want to work hard and practise football so that I am able to afford everything my parents and siblings could ever wish for." - *William

Young boys like *William, especially those who are unable to go to school, have very few options for engaging in positive activities. This is why Kids Club Kampala runs the Football Project, as this provides a safe space where kids can focus on having fun and playing football with their friends.

Last month we renovated the Namuwongo football pitch to make it fit for play! Due to poor drainage and flooding, the pitch was too damaged and unsafe for kids to enjoy a kick about. We re-soiled the ground, secured the drainage channel, built a secure fence & will be planting grass on the pitch later this year!

Skilling - Graduations, DIT Certificates & *Pauline's Story 

It has been another busy quarter for our skilling projects with another round of graduations for our tailoring and knitting course! We are also excited to announce that the course has now been registered with the Directorate of Industrial Training under the Ministry of Education and Sports. This means that at the end of the course students now have the opportunity to be assessed for a DIT Certificate which is a nationally recognised qualification.

• 35 people graduated from our tailoring and knitting course

• 12 students were also awarded with DIT certificates

• Another 30 people expressed interest for the next intake

• 4 young people are currently undertaking training on our carpentry course

“My name is *Pauline, I came to know about the tailoring project through the community radio in our area. When my parents told me that they may not be able to raise my school fees this year, I decided to join the skilling project such that I won’t be home doing nothing. The most interesting part in my tailoring journey is that I can sew something beautiful on my own like what I am putting on. A huge thank you to KCK for supporting us and helping us use our time wisely as adolescents.”