Empowerment & Transformation Camp
Children of Uganda’s over-night Empowerment & Transformation camp was held from December 17th – 20th, 2021 on beautiful Lake Victoria. 144 of our sponsored students in P.4 (3rd grade) through S.6 (12th grade) from our service areas of Kampala, Mukono and Kyotera attended.
The youth camp was conducted in partnership with Universal Sporting Bridge (USB) – a local Ugandan NGO established by a group of athletic coaches committed to helping communities solve their own challenges and live with dignity through sports.
The coaches led games, activities and discussions centered on adaptability, flexibility and resilience.
Counselors and motivational speakers were also brought in to provide health and sex education, career guidance, sanitation and personal hygiene advice, group, one-on-one and trauma-informed counseling.
Program Director, Ritah Namakula, shared how she was approached by about 8 girls for one-on-one talks to discuss the following:
- Sexual abuse/assault
- Threatened abuse and violence
- Verbal and physical violence
- Health complications (mainly hygiene-related)
- Family welfare and financial challenges at home
- The impact of COVID-19
“Having close-up talks with the girls was so eye-opening and mind-opening. Their courage made it possible to find solutions to help not only the girls who opened up, but others as well who may be suffering silently.”
Students tackled difficult discussions in counseling, but also had time to enjoy lots of games, activities and delicious food with friends they had not seen for a very long time. They especially enjoyed the camp fire time, roasted meat, sports competitions and dancing. We are so grateful to our many sponsors and supporters who made it all possible.
Thank you for helping us create these special memories for students in Uganda. It’s exactly what they needed after 2 years of being in and out of school – facing uncertainty, instability and so many hardships. Your continued support means the world.
