IRFF UK November 2024 Profile: GirlChild and WAIT projects in Uganda

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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

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

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

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

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.”

IRFF UK acknowledges that your continuing support makes

stories like these possible. Thank you.

I Want To Donate

Click here to visit our website to see our other projects.

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

t&· ~iftPPuK Period Poverty v Education v About Us Blog Contact Us -

At IRFF UK, we’re dedicated to making a real difference in communities where help is needed the most. Right now, Destiny Junior School in Kibiri, Uganda, urgently needs your support to build biodigester toilets for their young students. This project is critical to improving health and sanitation for 109 infants aged 3 to 6 years old.

The problem: An outdated and unsafe pit latrine

For over 12 years, Destiny Junior School’s infants have been using an old pit latrine that was never designed to serve this many children. Originally built for a small family, it has been filled and emptied several times. Now, local health inspectors have declared it unsafe to continue using.

- Shared by 109 children: 60 boys and 49 girls in the infant class alone. - Health hazards: Increased risk of diseases like dysentery. - Distance challenge: Children struggle to reach other toilets in time , often soiling their uniforms before they get there.

The solution: A sustainable biodigester toilet

We are committed to transforming this situation by installing a biodigester toilet system. This eco-friendly solution breaks down waste safely and turns it into biogas that can be used for cooking or heating.

The system will provide:

- Hygienic and accessible facilities for infants, teachers , and persons with disabilities. - Long-term benefits with easy maintenance. - Improved health conditions by preventing the spread of dangerous diseases.

Why it matters: The health of the children is at stake The headteacher at Destiny Junior School has made a passionate plea:

“The health of our children is critical, and the current facilities are not fit for purpose. These children need our help to ensure a safer, healthier environment. ·

With your help, we can act before the situation worsens and provide these young children with the sanitary facilities they deserve.

How you can help: Donate today! This project cannot succeed without your generous donations. By contributing to the construction of the biodigester toilets, you will:

- Directly impact the health and well-being of 109 children. - Ensure long-lasting, sustainable facilities for the school. - Help prevent future health crises in the Kibiri community.

Every donation makes a difference

Whether large or small, your donation will have a lasting impact. Together, we can ensure these children have a safe and clean place to go, improving their overall quality of life.

We aim to have these toilets completed before the school breaks for the long third term Christmas holiday. But we need your support now to make it happen.

£222.30 4 £18,500 Raised Donations Goal

Choose amount ~ • o o o ➔

Act now: Your support is urgently needed £10 £ 50 £100

Donate now and be part of this life-changing project. £ Custom Amount Help us provide safe, sustainable toilets for Destiny Junior School. Your generosity today can build a healthier tomorrow for these children.

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Help end period poverty. Donate You r donat ion helps ch ildren access Enter email • now for girls’ education and quality education and build brighter Submit empowerment. futures.

Click to Donate to Period Click to Donate to Education Povem

Help us build biodigester toilets for Destiny Junior School Destiny Junior School in Kibiri, Uganda, urgently needs your support to bu ild biodigester toilets for their young students. This project is critical to im proving hea lth and sanitation fo r 109 infants aged 3 to 6 years old.

Click to Donate to DestinY. Junior School’s biodigester camP.aign

Supporting African Communities from the UK UK Based Charity for Africa

Onr C!h::lritv Ts Fof’nsP.rl on

Period Poverty & Education Support In Africa IRFF UK is a UK-based charity for Africa operating projects across Africa with a dual focus on education and addressing period poverty. We are breaking the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to education for all and preventing female dropouts through the provision of menstruation products and education. Through this communities and youth are empowered and Africans are given the best chance for a brighter future.

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What Areas Does Our Charity Support In Africa?

Education Emergency Relief

Menstruation Should Not Be An Obstacle In Life

As a charity for Africa, IRFF UK holds a strong promise to help underprivi leged African girls facing challenges, especia lly period poverty, which makes it hard for them to go to school. We are dedicated to breaki ng down these barriers by making sure t hese girls have what t hey need for their periods. By doing t his, we empower these young minds, giving t hem the chance to stay in school, learn, and break free from t he cycle of poverty.

What is Period Poverty? I Ending Period Poverty

Kampala, Uganda Destiny Junior School

IRFF UK built Destiny Junior School in 2009. The children in the local area have thrived ever since! IRFF UK built Destiny Junior School in Kampala, Uganda in 2009, and has gone on to see more than 500 students graduates go into further education which otherwise wouldn’t have happened. £1 15,000 has been invested in total, starting from £330 a month and now at £1, 150 with 206 students in total

Why Choose IRFF UK? What makes our charity for Africa unique?

We prioritise a comprehensive What sets IRFF UK apart is our approach centred on education and commitment to more than just being empowerment to uplift individuals intermediaries in fund transfers. from poverty.

Our unique focus is on equipping We believe in creating lasting change people with the skills necessary for by empowering individuals to build a self-sustainability, fostering better future for themselves and their independence rather than communities. dependence on Western donations.

How Can You Get Involved? How Can You Support Our Charities Work In Africa?

Making A Donation V

Spreading Awareness V

Volunteering Your Time & Skills V

What Our Donors Are Saying

Your efforts in the areas of The Women’s Federation for World I have been happy to supi education, health and sustainability Peace, South London, has been projects that IRFF is runni are vital in certain countries and supporting DestinyJunior School Uganda. In particular, I h truly appreciated.My family will through IRFF-UKfor more than 12 donated funds towards ti continue to sponsor a child at years. Our ladies sincerely had been of a perimeter wall and a DestinyJunior School in Uganda, helping to provide a better place for at Destiny School. I really and will endeavour to support other the children of DestinyJunior School the good work IRFF has b, causes that IRFF UK informs us in Uganda. We believe Education over the years to help about. and health are the most important people/children in Africa. things for the life of the child.

Mars hall de Souza J oyce Suda Destiny School Sponsor Dolores Read Destiny School Donor Destiny School Sponsor

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