Education is a huge part of the work we do at S.A.L.V.E. and it plays a crucial part in ensuring that no child has to call the streets home.

We support children who were once on the streets to return to education through our Education Fund. This fund covers all types of schooling – from primary through to secondary, day school and boarding school, as well as vocational qualifications. It also supports our programme of education which we offer at our Residential Rehabilitation site, providing catch-up lessons for children who have often missed out on so much education already.

Why support children through S.A.L.V.E.’s Education Fund? 

Whilst we have previously offered people the chance to sponsor an individual child’s education through sponsorship, we now encourage donors to give to our Education Fund instead. Our Fund enables us to:

• Support a greater number of children at varying levels of education
• Provide holistic support for children in education, such as supporting their families with a business to help care for their needs
• React quickly to children’s needs – moving swiftly in instances such as child protection or safeguarding cases
• Work with schools and organisations to explore opportunities of knowledge and skill sharing, rather than just paying school fees
• Provide catch-up education at our residential site to ensure children who return to school settings are prepared for the classroom

What do donors to the S.A.L.V.E. Education Fund receive in return?  

By joining our Education Fund you are giving the gift of education to a child who has been on the streets. You are also enabling us to help their family thrive, with sessions such as counselling and business skills training so that they can best support their child.

You can support our Fund with a monthly donation that suits you, and your donation will be split amongst the children we are supporting through education. In return you will receive:

• Email copies of three letters per year, directly from children who your generous giving is supporting
• Three additional emails with more general updates about how your donations are changing lives, including case studies, videos and updates on graduations and success stories

Why is education so important? 

Having a good education can help to ensure that a child has a bright future to look forward to. Good jobs don’t come up very often in Uganda and when they do there is huge competition for them. Without a good education, children do not stand much of a chance of building a successful life for themselves and their families.

Sadly, a place in school is not a guarantee for children living in Uganda. Although legislation has been passed in the country so that universal education should be available, there are many hidden costs and there is so much demand for school places that many children miss out.

For those that do attend school, classrooms are often filled with over 100 children which makes it impossible for them to learn effectively.

Teachers are overworked, and the resources are simply not available for the children to receive the education they deserve.

Most families in Uganda cannot afford the price of school fees and requirements and so many children are sitting at home instead of being in school.

This can lead to them becoming demotivated and eventually them ending up on the streets to try to earn some money.

Learn more about the Ugandan education system here.