Uganda: Precious Childrens Centre
Supporting Orphans, Vulnerable Children, and Former Street Children
October 18, 2016
Summary of Activities
Mission
Providing Education and a Safe Place
The Precious Children’s Centre is a community based initiative that aims to improve the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in the Kawempe Division of Kampala and the surrounding areas. The project offers a number of child-friendly services, such as:
• Early childhood education,
• Basic primary education,
• Child counseling and rehabilitation, and
• Integration.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Location
A High-Risk Area
The Precious Children’s Centre is located in Ttula (one of the slum areas of Kampala) along Ttula Road, in Mbogo Parish of the Kawempe Division, Kampala. The Kawempe Division is one of four divisions that make up Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. It is located in the northern part of Kampala’s central business district. It is a highly populated area, with over 290,500 inhabitants and a 60% illiteracy rate. Since Kawempe Division is a slum area, the population is comprised of low-income households. A majority of the population survives on casual jobs or small businesses, and some survive through harmful activities such as sex working, gambling, and unscrupulous practices such as robbery. Other social problems associated with this area include high rates of HIV/AIDS (prevalence at 7%), high rates of alcohol and substance abuse, gangs, and unstable families/gender based violence.
Founding
Bringing Hope
The Precious Children’s Centre was founded in 2011 by Robert Baryamwesiga, an officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, who was moved by compassion when he saw the plight of children in Kawempe Division. Robert was born and raised in this slum, and thus has direct experience with the socioeconomic challenges involved in living there. Currently, the Precious Children’s Centre is assisting 425 OVCs to obtain basic primary education and 39 former street children are undergoing rehabilitation before they can be enrolled in the regular education program. The Precious Children’s Centre is nonsectarian, and embraces children from all walks of life.
RMF’s Support
Providing Nutritious Food
Since 2015, RMF has come to the aid of the Precious Children’s Centre, providing monthly funding to purchase food for the children. This funding has stabilized the operations of Precious Children’s Centre, since food shortage was one of the biggest challenges affecting the project. Children are now well-fed, and they stay in school without running away. They look healthy and happy.
Background
& Objectives
Background
Founded by Kawempe Division native and OPM officer Robert Baryamwesiga in 2011, the Precious Children’s Centre provides food, shelter, rehabilitation, and primary education to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and former street children. Real Medicine Foundation began supporting the Precious Children’s Centre in 2015, providing funds for nutritious food, which has improved the children’s health and concentration and stabilized operations at the Precious Children’s Centre.
Objectives
- Support children’s nutrition
- Strengthen operations of the Precious Children’s Centre
- Strategize ways to improve, expand, and create projects
More
Photos
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Numbers
Served
Currently, the Precious Children’s Centre is assisting 425 OVCs to obtain basic primary education and 39 former street children are undergoing rehabilitation before they can be enrolled in the regular education program.
More Reports on: Precious Childrens Centre Archive
Country Page: Uganda
Initiative Page: Precious Childrens Centre
