War Child Changemakers

I'm one of the teachers in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Southwestern Uganda. I work under the War Child Canada Accelerated Education Programme. I also happen to come from Fort Portal, near Kasese which was attacked by the rebels, so I clearly understand what War Child Canada is doing on ground. The young refugee children who had lost hope of attaining education have surely gotten it back, through this programme.

I was living in the Congo with my whole family, but one day when we were home, rebels came and when my father didn’t have money to give them, they shot him. I ran with my mother and found a charcoal truck whose driver helped take us to Uganda. When we first got here, I started fishing at a lake nearby to support our family, but I wanted to study. A friend told me about War Child’s AEP (accelerated learning program) where I could learn and not have to pay school fees. I am now in level 3, learning so much. We also take part in a club to learn about child abuse, rights of children, and life skills. I can introduce myself in English and talk confidently to members of my community. My mind is good because of the AEP program. Continue supporting us, providing us free education, school materials, and continue supporting us. Thank you for that.

I thank War Child because they give us hope of studying. Because I was not studying, I was at home. And I also thank war child because they teach us life skills, and how we girls can protect ourselves from HIV. I thank war child because now I can sit in front of people and speak English. I also thank my teachers, because they take care of me, thank you very much for giving us hope of studying. And I hope this love will never end. Long live War Child Canada.

When my friend told me there was a school I could attend where I didn’t have to pay school fees, I didn’t believe her. I went to ask the teacher there, “is it true?” When the teacher said, yes, I was surprised but became happy. I never thought I would be able to speak English.