Dear friend, 

On the 3rd October my husband and I will be doing the London Marathon to help children in Kyazanga, Lwengo in Uganda, have access to remote lessons during the pandemic and beyond. We are raising money to buy devices so that teachers can record lessons which will then be taken out to children in nearby villages while they are unable to attend school. Please read on to see how children in Uganda are being impacted by the pandemic and how you can help. 

Thank you,
Linda-May (and Stuart)

Further information

The COVID-19 Pandemic has significantly affected children's education in Uganda. The majority of the children have now missed school for 18 months and the country is currently in lockdown.

The Pandemic has resulted in child labour, with many turning to jobs like bricklaying, charcoal burning, boda-boda riding, welding, selling vegetables, etc as well as an increase in teen pregnancies. 

There is uncertainty about the children's future education as the Government communicated in August that schools would only be reopened once sufficient learners aged 12 to 18  have been vaccinated. As of 21st September 2021, 1.44 million vaccine doses have been administered out of the overall target of 21.9 million, excluding children. 

This puts all educators in a dilemma with no possible clue as to when children's education will resume.

The Government has encouraged remote learning programs during school closures, including distributing home learning materials, radios, televisions, and online learning. However, with internet penetration in Uganda standing at 26%, it's a big challenge to promote remote learning, especially in rural communities where people don't even own a radio, TV or a computer.

As stated by the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, it's evident in Lwengo that a culture of "safety, friends and food" at school has been replaced by "anxiety, violence, and teenage pregnancy", with remote learning out of reach for millions.

What is Joy For Humanity doing?

Joy For Humanity has continued to reach at least 600+ children in their homes by providing home school study materials that are set and reviewed by the teachers.

This option has offered some hope, but it isn't the most effective option for educating the children as some have lost motivation in education. To continue motivating the children, the teachers have to travel to the children's homes, some of which are 40km from the school.

Next Steps

Britannia Education Trust is partnering with Joy For Humanity to enable access to the technology required for remote learning by providing devices to teachers and students to continue learning.

We are reimagining and redefining education in Kyazanga, Lwengo, Uganda, by bridging the digital divide in education which is more evident than ever.

Joy For Humanity urgently needs to enhance its home study materials with video lessons using tablets, iPads, laptops etc. This will improve the delivery model and motivate the children who are sadly losing hope.

How can you help?

1) Make a donation here towards the costs of purchasing our initial 15 tablets which each cost £425 including shipment and taxes.

2) Help spread the word of our campaign 

- Please share this page now with friends, family and business contacts.

3) If you have any further ideas that can help us provide the necessary technology to the teachers and children in rural Uganda, please email linda-may@britannia-village.newham.sch.uk 

Thank you so much.

Together we can secure the children's education and well-being and a brighter future.