Children at risk

Funded by: KIA (Kerk In Actie)
In collaboration with: Kayda (Katwe Youth Development Association), KCV (Katakwi Children Voice), UCAA (Uganda Change Agent Association), Probation and Social Welfare Office, Child Family Protection Unit Police, Community Development Officers (CDOs), and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
Duration: 2015 - ongoing

Context:
In the Karamoja region, various forms of violence against children persist, including early marriages, female genital mutilation, and adolescent pregnancies, with rates 30% higher than in other Ugandan regions. Cultural barriers often lead to underreporting of these issues. Physical and psychological needs, compounded by poverty, drive children to migrate in search of better opportunities, exposing them to increased risks of exploitation.

To address these challenges, a consortium of NGOs is implementing a three-year program in the districts of Napak, Katakwi, Moroto, and Kampala, focusing on intercepting and reintegrating minors into their communities. The program aims to enhance recovery capacities among children, women, families, and communities, while preventing and mitigating the effects of gender-based violence and migration.

Objectives

General Objective:
To support street children and facilitate their recovery by reducing the factors leading to their migration.

Specific Objectives:

• Design and implement an effective interception mechanism.
• Develop a community reintegration and reconciliation model.
• Strengthen operational systems and structures for child protection.
• Increase children's participation in decision-making processes regarding their well-being.

Activities

• Child Registration:
  Register children and adults from Kampala or those intercepted in Karamoja.

• Education and Training Support:
  Provide educational and training opportunities for children and youth reintegrated into their families.

• Vocational Training Enrollment:
  Enroll reintegrated youth in vocational training courses.

• Parenting Training:
  Conduct training sessions for families and communities on effective parenting skills.

• Income Generating Activities (IGA):
  Provide resources and tools for families to sustain or enhance their livelihoods.

• Community Meetings:
  Organize periodic meetings to engage with communities and foster dialogue.

• Experience Sharing Sessions:
  Facilitate sharing sessions for children to exchange their experiences and support one another.

For the Summary Sheet of the project's results in 2022, [click here].