Supporting vulnerable children in Uganda's slums

I hope that the following update, reflecting on our key highlights from 2022, is able to inspire you and provide further encouragement that your kind support continues to make such a life changing difference.

Feeding - 231,975 Meals!

At the beginning of 2022 we planned to scale back our food bank support; however, the cost of living crisis which hit Uganda in March saw demand for our food banks hugely increase. We listened to our communities and continued to run our food banks to ensure families were supported during this difficult time. 

Throughout 2022, we were able to distribute 3,093 emergency food parcels to vulnerable children and their families. This is equivalent to 231,975 meals!

In addition to this, our daily children’s meals programme based in our three slum community classrooms resumed, with 89 children receiving nutritious fresh meals every weekday after their education classes. Due to the cost of living crisis, we also extended our hot meal provision to other children in the community who do not attend school.

Protecting - Kids Clubs, Football & Teens Projects

Protecting children from harm has been a priority as our staff and volunteers supported communities to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and to cope with the cost of living crisis. Throughout 2022, children in Uganda’s slum communities have continued to meet together to enjoy play and fellowship in a safe environment.

• 1,000 children regularly attended our Saturday Kids Clubs 
• 33 teenage boys have been part of our football teams 
• 2,988 period products were given out to teenage girls

These activities are run by our community safeguarding officers who identify any child protection issues and offer children and their families further support where necessary. In 2022 we responded to 24 safeguarding concerns and 3,500 vulnerable children and teenagers received counselling.

Skilling - 200 Graduates with Skills and Hope

In 2022, 190 students graduated from our tailoring and knitting course and 10 students graduated from our carpentry course. The skilling projects continue to be a vital part of helping families to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, and to help break the cycle of poverty for the long term. We were also delighted to be able to fully renovate our carpentry workshop this year meaning that more young people can be trained in this vital skill in 2023 and in the years to come.

In the words of one of our skilling graduates: “I came to know about the tailoring project through the community radio in our area. My parents couldn’t afford for me to finish school so I decided to join the skilling project to give me something useful to do. I can’t wait to start running my own business. My favourite part of my tailoring journey is that now I can sew something beautiful on my own like this dress that I am putting on. A huge thank you to Kids Club Kampala for this opportunity.”