School cuts child dropout rates, pregnancies
Uganda faces significant challenges with school dropout rates and early pregnancies. In response, IRFF-UK has dedicated nearly a decade to improving education and health for young children. One recent beneficiary of funding is the state-run Busabala Primary School.
Located near Lake Victoria, Busabala Primary School serves children from impoverished fishing and agricultural communities. High dropout rates among six-to-12-year-olds are often due to unwanted pregnancies or the need of their families to earn a survival wage.
However, the IRFF’s GirlChild and WAIT projects at Busabala are transforming these circumstances. Both teachers and students are witnessing positive changes.
"The program has inspired our girls. They now enjoy schooling and are eager to listen, learn, and receive sanitary pads and underwear. They adhere to the advice provided. Since the program began two years ago, none of our girls have become pregnant.”
Senior educator Sesima Goratsi
No More Pregnancies
Senior educator Sesima Goratsi, who has taught at Busabala Primary School for over a decade, shared her observations:
“Before the GirlChild/WAIT programs arrived, only one in four of our girls knew what a sanitary pad was. Now, all the girls understand how to use them. Previously, most girls had only one pair of knickers, and some wore no underwear at all.
Some even became pregnant and had to drop out of school.”
Students in the program are excelling academically, a testament to the dedication of both pupils and teachers. Sesima attributes this success to their shared love of education:
“We teachers love our occupation, and we encourage the pupils to appreciate who they are. We are not harsh; we show them the value of studying. We tell the girls that women can be successful and highlight female leaders in Uganda, encouraging our girls to follow in their footsteps.”
From War Refugee to Child Leader
Latifa Hamza, a war refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), fled to Uganda with her mother and siblings after her father was killed. Conflict in DR Congo has led to six million deaths over the past three decades. In Uganda, they found security and education.
Latifa joined the GirlChild project and is now a leader at Busabala Primary School. She shares her experience:
“The GirlChild project has helped me in many ways, like keeping myself clean, having good character, and being respectable. It has provided us with sanitary pads, knickers, and knowledge.
“My mother is very happy for me.
The money she would have spent on sanitary pads can be used for our education instead. I know I will get a first grade in my exams. I want to become a fashion designer.”
Thank you
IRFF UK acknowledges that your continuing support makes stories like these possible. Thank you.
If you are in the UK, consider sending a bank transfer so every last penny goes to IRFF UK:
International Relief Friendship Foundation
Account number: 96497645
Sort Code: 60-05-29
