Our work in Uganda

Laying a foundation for self-sufficiency in Uganda

Known as the "Pearl of Africa," Uganda possesses great potential.

CFCA began working in Uganda in 1993, primarily by providing educational and nutritional assistance.

Today, the Hope for a Family program is based in Kampala, with outreach to families in Masaka, Busunju and Ssekanyonyi. Education and nutrition are priorities, but the program's overarching goal is to help families on a path toward economic self-sufficiency.

Parents are encouraged to participate in small community groups that awaken individual initiative and creativity, offer moral support and strengthen communities.

Access to education

Ugandans value education, but it is not affordable for most families. Hope for a Family sponsorship gives families the opportunity to send their children to school by helping them pay for education-related expenses at public or private institutions.

Public schools are free, but parents must pay for uniforms, books, supplies and registration fees. Most children in the Kampala Hope for a Family program attend private schools because parents value their educational standards.

The Kampala Hope for a Family program helps families purchase school uniforms, required by Ugandan schools. CFCA students in primary and secondary school feel a sense of pride and belonging when they have new uniforms because it gives them the dignity of "fitting in." Uniforms can cost between $10 and $15, a considerable sum for Ugandan families living in poverty.

Going further with higher education

Few Ugandans can afford to attend university, but a college education is required to work in the formal economic sector.

The Hope for a Family program is helping students attend universities and technical schools, reach their career goals and build a path out of poverty for themselves and their families.

Anthony and Lawrence are two committed Ugandan youth and close friends sponsored through CFCA's Hope for a Family program. They started raising poultry to help generate income to cover their educational costs.

The profit from this venture helps fund Anthony's pursuit of a computer science degree and Lawrence's pursuit of a psychology degree.

"If it were not for CFCA believing in us, we would not have made it this far," Anthony said.

Read more about Anthony and Lawrence’s story.

Planting the seeds for mothers groups

Women participating in the Hope for a Family sponsorship program in Masaka are forming mothers groups. Read about one mothers group here.

The group members consist of mothers and caregivers of sponsored children, and sponsored elderly women caring for grandchildren.

The mothers have met regularly since January 2010 to build trust and offer one another moral support. Their camaraderie helps empower them to provide for their children.

The groups also provide an opportunity for the mothers to make decisions impacting the sponsorship program.

Hope for a Family program cultivates leaders

The Hope for a Family program would not be possible without the talented and capable local CFCA staff members who serve sponsored members and their families. Often, former sponsored children become staff members themselves.

Meet Teddy Naluwu, the Kampala project coordinator. Teddy's inspiring life story is an example of how Hope for a Family sponsorship helps cultivate community leaders. Watch the video.

Teddy overcame the grief of losing both parents and several siblings to AIDS and, with the help of sponsorship, obtained a degree in industrial fine arts.

After graduating, she started an income-generating program where she taught children and youth in the community to weave shawls, placemats, bed covers and curtains, and sell these items at the local market. Her success inspires her family and friends, and reminds us all that access to education can end the cycle of poverty.