In the slum community of Nansana, where we work, more than 20,000 children live in extreme poverty. Most of their families survive on just one meal a day and have no stable source of income. It is nearly impossible for these families to educate their children because they cannot afford basic supplies like books, pens, pencils, or uniforms. Without support, these children often arrive on the first day of school without the essential tools they need to learn. This makes it challenging for many of them to keep up with their lessons due to difficulties in taking notes, completing assignments, and participating in class activities. As a result, children may experience poor academic performance and fall behind in their studies, often without a chance to catch up. This increases the risk of dropping out of school, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limited opportunities.
To address this issue, Vijana Heavens Foundation holds a back-to-school charity drive every academic term to ensure no child is left behind when it comes to having access to education. On September 14th, 2024, with support from generous individual donors and volunteers, we successfully held our 8th charity drive where we were able to provide free basic scholastic materials to over 200 underprivileged children in the marginalized slum community of Nansana, Kampala, Uganda.
At Vijana Heavens Foundation, we know children in poverty without access to quality education, they are at risk of becoming adults in poverty. Even in the public school system in Uganda, families are required to pay tuition, uniforms, books, school lunch and transportation. As you can imagine, an already financially stressed family cannot afford the additional cost of education. Our BACK-TO-SCHOOL program was designed to establish equality in the classroom, challenging the income disparities children face to improve educational opportunities.
As we continue to work toward our mission, we recognize that we cannot do it alone. The success of our programs depends on the generosity and support of people like you. By donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our work, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless underprivileged children in the slum communities of Nansana. If you believe in the transformative power of education and want to help break the cycle of poverty, we invite you to join us in our mission. Together, we can create a brighter future for children and ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to having access to education.
