A big THANK YOU to all who are making a difference through your contributions to the CSRL COVID relief and rehabilitation effort. We will be sharing a short story update each week of the campaign. Please share it with a friend!
In a normal year, CSRL supports education in Kamuli district through service-learning, the school lunch program, and school gardens programs among other activities. But this is certainly not a normal year.
In Uganda, COVID-19 has restricted travel and prohibited group meetings, resulting in schools being shuttered and thus disruption of ISU-UP supported school lunch programs, a benefit that increases school attendance and nourishes minds. This has resulted in decreased learning and increased undernutrition.
In an attempt to maintain some educational cohesion, the government broadcasts lessons on radio and television. But few pupils in Kamuli district have access. Students began drifting away from their education altogether. Boys started doing any type of menial work they could find. Teen pregnancy rates began to increase. Both genders have been at risk of not returning to school when they eventually reopen.
Seeing this, members of the ISU-Uganda Program education team got creative. They received district permission to work with the schools and demonstration gardens in new ways. ISU-UP is providing inputs to agricultural club members and vulnerable students to grow personal gardens at home. Students who live near school gardens contribute to their upkeep and receive produce and meals in return. ISU-UP staff deliver scholastic materials directly to local leaders where they are distributed to students each week, and the previous week’s papers are delivered to teachers for grading and student feedback.
Through this special effort, students are re-engaging in their education and getting back on track! Educating the next generation is imperative for sustainable rural livelihoods. Your contributions will help keep this program going until schools fully reopen. And right now, your donation has twice the impact through matching funds!