Uganda

Uganda is one of nine countries where the Hope for African Children Initiative started programs in 2001. HACI Uganda interventions are focused in two areas; education of orphans and other vulnerable children and improved household incomes for their families as entry points for other services. The basis of focusing on education is to give the children a better future.

Activities that help attract and retain vulnerable children in school are some of HACI-Uganda’s interventions. These include the provision of scholastic materials and payment of school dues. For children who are out of school, vocational and skills training in areas such as carpentry, building, tailoring, crafts are provided.

In Uganda, HACI has reached an estimated 22,269 children with programs that provide care and support. Among others this has been by awareness raising through drama shows, radio talks shows, peer-to-peer education and voluntary counseling and testing services. In accordance with the objective of extending the parent-child relationship, psychosocial support through counseling and testing services continues to be provided.

To prepare families for transition, 17,260 orphans and other vulnerable children have had their household income increased through supporting small-scale trade and theprovision of micro credit/revolving funds. To protect vulnerable children and their property after the death of their parents, succession planning through will-writing and memory book project is undertaken.

In addition, community based organizations supported by HACI Uganda lobby for the rights and the need for vulnerable children’s issues to be included in community level planning by the local government.

HACI Uganda also strives to strengthen the organizational capacities of community-based organizations and local NGOs through a series of capacity building activities. Support to the community-based organizations and local NGOs has been in form of keeping proper financial records, report writing and documentation, monitoring and evaluation, project management and administration (including developing organizational procedures and policy documents).

In 2005, following a grant from Core Initiative, HACI Uganda focused its efforts in the northern region of the country in the districts of Gulu, Lira and Katakwi. Twenty-six organizations were selected to receive grants to provide support in form of income generation activities, education, care and protection to orphans and other vulnerable children.

Contact details for HACI Uganda
Viola Mukasa, Country Coordinator
Tel: +256 41 346 131
Fax: +256 77 518 400
Email: haci@utlonline.co.ug