“Help for self-help” is this moto we use in development work. Education is the key to success and progress.

Uganda has in the last 4 decades passed through times of wars, violence, natural catastrophes, and diseases (IHV/AIDS, EBOLA, etc).  These problems have left the country with so many scars which manifests themselves in the rampant poverty in the communities.

Millions of people have lost their lives due to war, violence, and diseases. The people who die leave behind children who become very vulnerable because of the loss of their parents.

One of the biggest challenges for the children and the young people is the lack of school fees to enable them to go to or remain in school. School education is still expensive, and many parents and guardians cannot afford it. As a result, children drop out of school, stay at home doing domestic work, others go out in the streets in search of petty jobs to earn some little income for the families’ survival. In this way many children end up being exploited and abused. Many young people flock to urban areas where they meet other challenges of hunger and poverty.

Youth unemployment in Uganda, for instance, between the ages of 18 and 30 is at 13.5%! Unemployed youth are a big problem in society. Youth unemployment results in idleness, drug abuse, sexual abuse, teenage pregnancies, violence, alcohol abuse, perpetuation of diseases etc.

In order to prevent the above-mentioned problems and to empower the young people in the Catholic diocese of Fort Portal, Fr. Joseph Musana initiated a school fees program for vulnerable children especially those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The programs started in 2005 with the help of friends and well-wishers from Germany!

The lack of school fees is a big problem for many young people and children. The list of children looking for sponsorship is long and because of lack of donors we cannot help all. Therefore, we are appealing to all people of good to help us empower the young generation of our country.