ANIKE FOUNDATION TEAMS UP WITH HELPING HANDS 4 AFRICA TO SUPPORT THE UGANDA RURAL SCHOOL DESK PROJECT
Education is a powerful tool to overcome poverty and build a brighter future. Yet, essential school resources like desks are often out of reach for many children in rural Africa. Without desks, many primary school students must sit on dirty floors and tree stumps or crowd around the few desks available. This negatively impacts their academic progress.
To address this challenge, Anike Foundation recently collaborated with Helping Hands 4 Africa on the Uganda Rural School Desk Project. Together, they strive to create better learning environments by equipping classrooms with essential resources, such as desks, to make a lasting impact on the education of children in rural Uganda.
WHO IS HELPING HANDS 4 AFRICA?
Helping Hands 4 Africa (HH4A) is a non-profit, community-based organization in Uganda committed to improving the lives of underprivileged children across Africa. HH4A’s primary focus is education in rural areas. Many schools in these areas often lack essential educational resources. HH4A's efforts, like the Uganda Rural School Desk Project, empower communities through education and positively impact children and their families.
WHAT IS THE UGANDA RURAL SCHOOL DESK PROJECT?
The Uganda Rural School Desk Project addresses the critical shortage of educational resources in rural Uganda by providing desks for students to create a more comfortable and conducive learning environment.
In 2021, HH4A conducted a field survey of 10 schools in eastern Uganda's Mayuge and Iganga districts, where educational performance remains very poor. Their survey revealed a student-to-desk ratio of 6:1; the government's recommended target is 3:1. Also, most of the schools’ desks were reserved for upper-year students because the desks were too large for the younger pupils. This left students in the lower years without adequate educational furniture.
Based on their findings, HH4A identified three schools with the greatest need for desks:
● Mowoito Church of Uganda Primary School
● Kagoma Primary School
● Glory Nursery and Primary School
RESULTS
HH4A received a $1,000 grant from Anike Foundation to purchase 45 age-suitable desks. These desks were distributed to the three selected schools, significantly improving the learning conditions for 150 students.
Having classroom furniture has led to happier students and better academic performance. School attendance rates will also likely increase since students are more likely to attend school when basic needs are met.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks to the efforts of Anike Foundation and HH4A, children in rural Uganda are gaining access to the education they deserve. Desks play an essential role in fostering effective classroom learning. With access to proper desks, the children at the Mowoito Church of Uganda Primary School, Kagoma Primary School, and Glory Nursery and Primary School now have a better chance at a brighter future.
However, the work is far from over. HH4A remains dedicated to ensuring all children, regardless of location, are able to thrive through education. You can make a donation to support their mission and help transform rural communities by clicking the "Donate" button at the bottom of this page.