Primary School Education

Although the government of Uganda has pledged free school education, in reality, all families are asked to contribute towards all costs, from salaries to building maintenance and from books and uniforms to brooms and toilet paper. For families who struggle to feed their children such costs are prohibitively expensive. Every day more families seek help from Mikwano for their children's school fees.

Mikwano seeks to cover the children's school fees and sundries, either in whole or, where the families are better off, in part. Mikwano will not automatically cover all education costs, we conduct a means and merits test on each family before making a grant. Where appropriate, grants are given only until a parent gains employment. Alternatively, where appropriate, grants are withheld until a parent gains employment. Mikwano considers this to be vital to prevent parents from losing the responsibility for paying for and therefore prioritising their children's education. Grants have already been made to 5 of the more needy children.

Grants are made on an annual basis but attendance records and exam results are obtained on a termly basis in order to monitor the child's progress. In addition, if extra tuition is required to help a struggling child, Mikwano sponsors such support. All donations are gratefully received into the individual education fund where they will be distributed according to need.

It costs Mikwano approximately £5 per calendar month to put a child through primary school education. Mikwano is presently committed to sponsoring 113 such children, but is hoping to increase this to over 250 in 2008. Mikwano is constantly being approached by impoverished families seeking assistance with school fees so if you can afford just £5 a month or more please contact Mikwano Children's Trust - Uganda, and make a real difference to a child's life. Thank you for your kindness.

Daniel and his four brothers and sisters live with their mother and father in Lungujja, Kampala. His mother runs a tiny corner shop, but unfortunately his father does not financially support his family. His mothers shop makes approximately £18 per week and this must cover all the families living expenses, including rent, food, clothing, fuel. School fees can only be paid once all the other living expenses have been met, and as such his mother fell behind with the school fees and Daniel and his elder sister. Until MCT-U cleared their school fees debt Daniel and his elder sister were not allowed to attend school. Mikwano now funds Daniel and his sisters school fees.

Sophie's parents are separated, she lives with her mother in Mengo, Kampala, but her father lives in a village many kilometres from Kampala and does not provide any money for her. Although her mother has remarried, the step father only earns approximately £11 per week before rent and all other essentials are paid for. Although Sophie is now eight she has never attended school as her family are unable to raise the funds required. Mikwano now funds Sophie's school fees.

John lives with his two younger sisters, his mother and his step father. His step father earns just £10 per week before rent and other essentials are paid for. John is six and has missed his first year of school as his family were unable to pay his school fees. Mikwano is looking to sponsor John so he can start his primary school education.

Promoting the well-being of the poor, destitute and orphaned children of Uganda, regardless of their creed, colour or tribe. This is achieved through the provision of financial assistance and advisory support.

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