In Uganda, two-thirds of children drop out of school before completing their primary education. 67% of children living in Kampala slums do not attend school. Out of the 91% children that enroll for primary school, 53% complete primary and only 34% complete secondary school education.
The lead cause of school dropouts in Uganda is mainly poverty. Most families survive on less than $1 or $2 (Between UGX3500 to UGX7,000) per day and parents from such families often cannot afford paying school fees and providing school requirements for their children.
To keep children from underprivileged families in school and promote quality education, Joy for Children under the “Educate a Child Sponsorship Program” supports 150 children with school fees and scholastic materials. These children are identified through Joy for Children’s direct engagements in slum areas of Kampala and other areas of operation, from child headed families, under privileged homes and orphans.
The program started in 2014 with only 10 children of the women under the Kampala Slum Women Development Project and has since then expanded to benefit children from other areas including Kabarole district in Western Uganda.
When a child gets a sponsor, they (sponsor) contributes £16 (UGX77,000) monthly for the primary school children and £25 (UGX121,000) for secondary school children. This contribution enables that child to stay in school and complete primary or secondary education or both depending on the sponsor’s capability.
Our staff knows each of the sponsored children and meets them on a regular basis. The staff visits their schools to follow up on their performances and wellbeing. The sponsored children also benefit from our Children Activities Project where they are involved in play, singing, drawing and shading, Bible stories, holiday talks for the teenage children and relational ministries.
The children on our program and their sponsors have a unique relationship. They (children) write a letter per term that is sent together with their school reports and current photos to the sponsors. The sponsors also write to their children and the staff delivers the letters to which the child replies.
We want more children to benefit from the services that the “Educate a Child Sponsorship Program” provides. We receive averagely 30 sponsorship requests each month but we are limited by funds and sponsors. You can create a difference in child’s life and family by sponsoring a child or donating towards the program.
SPONSOR A CHILD NOW!
To sponsor a child, email us at info@joyforchildren.org or sponsorship@joyforchildren.org , our staff will promptly reply.
Or send your donation to https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/delay-marriage-promote-schooling/
Thank you for your support!
