Child Protection Uganda Project #26217

Supporting vulnerable children in Uganda's slums

by Kids Club Kampala

Supporting vulnerable children in Uganda's slums

Project Report | Jun 1, 2022
Projects Update: Spring 2022

By Andy Brown | Supporter Care Manager

As a valued Kids Club Kampala supporter, we are thrilled to introduce you to our brand new Quarterly Projects Update. At Kids Club Kampala we are extremely grateful to supporters such as yourself, as without your generous support our projects in Uganda would simply not be able to reach as many children or families who rely on our vital services.

Project Updates

Our overall focus for 2021 was on the Road to Recovery; to help rebuild Uganda’s slum communities and protect the most vulnerable following the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that they not only survive, but thrive. To do this, we focused on 4 key areas: Feeding, Educating, Protecting and Skilling.

In 2022 we will be continuing to focus on Feeding, Educating, Protecting and Skilling; thus, these key areas will form the structure of your quarterly updates.

How our Projects Help Break the Cycle of Poverty

Feeding - Feeding Futures Appeal

At the beginning of 2022 we were optimistic that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic was behind us and we had begun to scale back our food relief services. However, as you may be aware, Kampala is now facing a new crisis, as in the last 2 years food prices have risen a staggering 400%. A meal that cost just 20p in 2020 now costs £1!

Last month we launched our Feeding Futures appeal to combat this crisis and build a brighter future for families in Kampala. We have been truly blown away by the generosity of our supporters, who have so far helped us raise an incredible £7,244, enabling us to provide 16,960 meals to families in need!

Educating - Back To School

Children in Kampala missed over 300 days of school during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Uganda had the longest period of school closures worldwide. During this time we ensured that the 311 students enrolled on our education projects were supported through homeschooling, so that despite the lockdown they could continue to learn.

In January 2022 schools in Uganda were finally able to reopen, so we are now hopeful that children can look forward to a year of undisrupted classroom learning.

Our education centres, which were used as foodbanks during COVID-19, have been reverted back into classrooms. During this quarter 86 children attended our Encouraging Education Project, accessing free non-formal education and a hot nutritious meal every day.

The 164 children enrolled on our School Sponsorship Programme were able to return to school in January. This means our team have been very busy ensuring the children have the correct uniform, providing stationary packs and organising transport to school if required.

Protecting - Recruiting Volunteers, Girls Support Groups & Ewafe Expansion

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a rise in cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation towards children living in Kampala's slums. Therefore, a key focus area for us has been the expansion of our projects which focus on protecting children and this continues to be a priority in 2022.

In order to keep children safe we require safeguarding volunteers within communities who are able to assess concerns. In 2021 we recruited 50 new volunteers and so far in 2022 we have already recruited a further 34 volunteers to help keep children safe.

Our Teens Project supports girls by providing period products and support groups which teach them about menstrual hygiene and health. This quarter we conducted 11 counseling sessions with our Girls Support Groups and distributed sanitary products to 753 teenage girls across 10 communities.

Last year the demand for our Ewafe Project continued to rise, with more children than ever needing a safe space to call home. In response to the rising demand, and with huge thanks to a generous benefactor, the Ewafe home has expanded. The renovations were completed in January, with the additions including a new therapy room, a new dormitory, staff cottages, a solar-powered kitchen and 3-acres of land to grow crops.

Read our 'Ewafe Home Expansion' blog

However, despite the exciting expansions, the repercussions of COVID-19 coupled with rampant inflation has meant that child abuse, neglect and abandonment have continued to rise in Kampala. This means the Ewafe Home remains at full capacity with 65 children currently staying at the home.

Skilling - Graduations & *Julie's Story

Our skilling projects are vital to breaking the cycle of poverty for families in Kampala. In the wake of COVID-19, our vocational training is needed more than ever to ensure families can recover their incomes and have hope for the future. This quarter we have several achievements to share:

54 people graduated from our tailoring and knitting course
Another 43 people were enrolled on the next intake
4 young people are currently undertaking training on our carpentry course

"Every end has a new beginning. Today might be the last day for some of us as students of KCK, but I believe our learning will actually start from today. When I left home and took the decision to pursue this course 4 months ago, I wasn’t sure what I will get in return. I was excited but at the same time a little scared of the new reality. But today as I stand here, I am proud to say that I made the right decision to come to Kids Club Kampala. I am now excited for the future and the opportunities that my new skill will bring me." - *Julie

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