JFCU’s projects are built to bring lasting positive impact to the vulnerable children in the community. We ensure that beneficiaries experience a shift, stakeholders rethink strategy with understanding and the future becomes more hopeful.
In Uganda, the slums of Kampala are some of the most challenging environments, deeply entrenched in poverty and scarcity. These informal settlements, characterized by overcrowded conditions and inadequate infrastructure, house a significant portion of the urban population. Residents struggle with a severe lack of basic needs, including clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. Poor housing, waste management, and minimal access to essential services perpetuate cycles of poverty. Women and children in these communities are particularly vulnerable, facing distinct hardships that require targeted intervention and support.Project Overview.The Kampala Slum Women project is dedicated to addressing the complex needs of women and children living in Kampala’s slums. We aim to create sustainable and transformative change by focusing on key areas that will steadily improve their quality of life. The project seeks to provide educational opportunities, enhance health and well-being, promote economic independence, and strengthen community infrastructure. By addressing these critical areas, we aspire to break the cycle of poverty and empower individuals.ObjectivesTo empower women and children in the slums of Kampala through extensive support and development programs. To Improve access to education educational opportunities for childrenTo establish community health initiatives that provide essential healthcare servicesTo create income opportunities through vocational training and microfinance programs
Uganda Young Positives and Joy for children Uganda is implementing a ‘Babies Living Optimally and Opportunely with Mothers’ (BLOOM) project in Kyenjojo district, Rwenzori sub-region, Toro region in Western Uganda in five Sub-counties namely Nyabuhaburwa, Nyatungo, Kyenjojo TC, Kigarale and Butiiti (two villages per sub-country). Kyenjojo is one of the highest HIV prevalence districts in Uganda, with a prevalence of 7.4% in 2022, higher than the national prevalence of 5.8% (UPHIA 2020).
Joy for Children- Uganda is working with members of parliament most especially Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) and Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) to support process for the enactment of the sexual offences bill and advocacy for implementation of the existing laws and policies to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Uganda.
The lead cause for school dropouts in Uganda is poverty. Most families survive on less than 1 or 2 US-$ per day and parents from such families often cannot afford paying school fees and providing school requirements for their children.
Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) is working with Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) and Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) to review the Sexual Offences Bill. The Bill provides positive provisions towards addressing sexual violence, including protecting sexual assault survivors’ rights during criminal proceedings and criminalizing sexual harassment by people in positions of authority.
COVID 19 is a global challenge. This has had huge effects especially for the most vulnerable in our communities – women and children. However, the condition in the slums of Kampala is worst with majority lacking food. The most affected are families with children with disabilities, families headed by children and single mothers. This project will give provide food to 200 households.
Joy for Children-Uganda was awarded a contract by Uganda National Road Authority to manage the social risks associated with Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence against Children (VAC) under NERAMP (Lango Cluster) – RFP No: UNRA/SRVCS/2017-18/00095, Road rehabilitation project.
Uganda has the sixteenth highest prevalence of child marriage in the world (UNICEF) especially among the less educated and low income households are at risk of harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Women and girls living in mining areas suffer enduring physical and mental health. This frustrates their ability to survive and often their families to engage in meaningful productive lives. Sometimes, men too experience violence in such settings.
The Global Fund For Human Rights The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated movement and contact restrictions instituted to mitigate the spread of the virus have invariably created the conditions which have led to the escalation of violence against children, women and girls in most communities in Uganda.
Action to End Violence Against Children in Families, Schools and Communities in Kabarole District, is a three-year project. It’s main goal is to contribute to the reduction of violence against children in targeted families, schools and communities.
Uganda has one of the highest child marriage prevalence rates in the world at 40% (UNICEF 2016). Nearly one in every two girls is married before their 18th birthday.
Community knowledge, experiences and actions that happen organically are important in bringing to light the understanding and experience from knowledgeable community members including adolescent girls, on addressing female adolescent sexuality as it relates to ending child marriage.
The Supporting Children Opportunities through Protection and Empowerment (SCOPE) is a World Bank-funded Project implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD) in collaboration with a host of other Service Providers.
The girl child is seen as a commodity through which the family can earn livelihood, especially in vulnerable communities in Uganda. She is traded into marriage as a child and expected to live as an adult. Her dilemma which is rooted in traditional cultural perceptions has been escalated by COVID19.
In 2019, with concerted efforts to achieve Girls Not Bride’s vision of a world without child marriage, where girls are equal to boys and can achieve their full potential. A project proposal was developed, with funding support from People’s Post Code Lottery through Girls Not Brides, Girls Not Brides Uganda received a one-year grant to ‘Accelerate Progress towards Ending Child Marriage in Uganda’.
JFC-U with funding from Child Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVP) and technical support from Raising Voices, is implementing “Violence Against Children Prevention Centers” (VACPC) project in Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts.
This project is funded by AmplifyChange and is being implemented by JFCU and other Girls Not Brides Uganda (GNBU) partners in the districts of Maracha, Masindi, Lyantonde, Kasese, Moroto and Butaleja.
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.
The Children with Disabilities (CWD) project falls under the Kampala Slum Women Development (KASWOD) Project. It is implemented in Kampala slums of Bukoto, Mulago, Bwaise and Makerere Kivulu.
Child marriage is a health and human rights issue, especially for girls and women in the developing world. It is particularly prevalent in Uganda.
We support children from poor and vulnerable backgrounds to enroll, keep in school and complete their education.