Real Stories & Children
See the real conditions children face in Uganda, East Africa — and meet some of the real children whose lives change when a sponsor steps in.
The Reality
In Uganda, many people compete for a limited number of good jobs, and without a decent education it is very hard to get one — or to have the confidence to start a business. Just getting into school can be a huge challenge.
Universal primary education arrived in 1997 and universal secondary education in 2007, but demand far outstrips the places available. It's not uncommon for a free government classroom to hold well over one hundred students, with very few facilities and demotivated, over-worked teachers. Families who want a quality education are left with only one option: private school — and the fees are beyond reach for families in extreme poverty.
Even where school is "free," every child must arrive with books, a uniform, and smart shoes — or be sent straight back home. From school books to fees, each requirement is another reason a child ends up sitting at home instead of learning.
The school year runs February to December. Classes aren't grouped by age, because children constantly drop out and re-enter depending on whether their family can pay. A child might sit beside classmates much older or younger — and it makes no difference, because the one thing they all share is that they want to learn.
The Children
These are the children OIGOK serves in Uganda, East Africa. Most are already sponsored — the ones marked Sponsor me today are still waiting for someone to step in.
It says to a child living in extreme poverty: you are an important person. That message — backed by education, health and nutrition — is what releases children from poverty for good.
Become a sponsorYour sponsorship keeps a child in school, fed, and cared for — for about $1.80 a day.
