Breaking Barriers to Children’s Access to Quality Education

Partner: Canadian Feed the Children (CFTC)

Project Overview

Since 2010, HUYSLINCI, in partnership with CFTC, has led impactful initiatives in Katabi Town Council to elevate children’s access to quality education. It should be noted we have also extended the project reach in Kamuli District Balawoli sub county, Nawangaiza villiage. These efforts have focused on improving health, nutrition, and sanitation; enhancing food security; supporting livelihoods development; fostering life and vocational skills for children; advancing child rights through advocacy; and strengthening community capacity.

Focus Areas

In 2023, HUYSLINCI is dedicated to achieving these key objectives:
1. Enhancing food security and nutrition for children and youth.
2. Increasing household income, savings, and assets.
3. Improving educational outcomes and performance for children and youth.
4. Supporting sexual and reproductive health for young people.
5. Building community and organizational capacity to deliver impactful, sustainable programs.

Project Rationale

The project addresses core challenges in children’s well-being by tackling food security, livelihoods, education, health, and community resilience.

Food Security

We aim to support sustainable food production through initiatives that improve access to nutritious food in schools, homes, and communities. By involving youth in smallholder farming, we’re building
household resilience, fighting poverty, and reducing stunting and illness among children and adults alike. Our community demonstration gardens will expand to include crop and animal husbandry, creating hubs where local farmers can learn, grow, and share resources.

Given the impact of climate variability, we plan to introduce water harvesting and storage systems at demonstration sites to ensure year-round food production.

Livelihoods

Our livelihoods initiatives focus on reducing poverty, building employability, and sustaining businesses within the community. Through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), we’re cultivating a culture of saving and investment, enabling households to diversify their income streams and become more resilient to economic shocks. Training sessions in areas like basic marketing, innovation, and sustainable production will empower individuals to adapt and thrive, especially in the face of challenges like rising costs and climate change.

We’re also championing gender equity and family empowerment by supporting women and girls with leadership training, confidence-building exercises, and family business planning.

Education

In response to the learning setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our education initiatives will work closely with community schools to enhance quality and performance outcomes. We support children from disadvantaged families through targeted programs that improve school attendance, retention, and academic performance. In 2023, we’re also extending our child sponsorship program to Kamuli District, partnering with Nawangaiza Primary School to provide resources that enhance the educational environment for all.

Health

Uganda faces significant health challenges, including a high prevalence of preventable diseases, limited access to health services, and an increase in cases of early and unintended pregnancies among youth. Our health initiatives are designed to address these pressing issues with a focus on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), disease prevention, and mental health support for young people.

Currently, there is an urgent need to equip children and youth with knowledge and resources to navigate sexual health responsibly. High rates of teenage pregnancies and early marriages persist, fueled by limited SRH education, cultural stigmas, and restricted access to youth-friendly health services. We aim to empower young people with accurate information about body changes, safe practices, and resources, giving them the tools to prevent early pregnancies and make informed choices about their reproductive health. Our programs also link youth with well-equipped health centers and encourage a supportive peer network for ongoing guidance.

Infectious diseases remain a critical threat as well. Uganda continues to grapple with outbreaks of viral diseases. These health crises underscore the need for ongoing community education, preventive measures, and sanitation protocols. To this end, we’re integrating public health awareness sessions and hygiene practices in schools and community centers, aimed at minimizing disease spread. Our facilitators will be trained and equipped to deliver updated guidance on virus prevention and community health responses.

Finally, the mental health challenges among youth are rising due to factors such as poverty, family instability, and the after-effects of prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 lockdown. Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, we are introducing counseling sessions and mental health workshops in schools to provide young people with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and seek help when needed.

Through these multifaceted health initiatives, HUYSLINCI is committed to creating a healthier, more informed generation, equipped to overcome Uganda's current health challenges and thrive.

Capacity and Organizational Development

HUYSLINCI continually invests in capacity building for our staff, volunteers, and the communities we serve. This year, we’re proposing additional training sessions on effective classroom management and teacher motivation, based on insights from community engagement sessions. We’re also enhancing our project implementation strategies and community outreach efforts to increase the visibility and impact of our work.

By aligning our programs with community needs and incorporating feedback, HUYSLINCI ensures that our initiatives directly respond to the aspirations of the people we serve. Through these collaborative efforts with CFTC, we are building a foundation of support and resilience that strengthens the well-being of children, youth, and the entire community.

Below is the list of the current staff

Merry Christmas & a Happy 2025 to you all, thanks for being a part of our journey