Our trimestral reports are written by Susan Laker for our Kampala programs and by Aidah Wafula for our Jinja programs. In addition to our Child-Sponsorship Program we run additional programs throughout the year benefitting all children and their community. This report shows the programs that have been running the trimester July-September 2024. We also invite you to check out our Instagram stories to find out more about the activities that we carried out during this time.
1. EDUCATION
Jinja
Schools officially closed on the 23rd of August 2024 and are expected to reopen on the 16th of September. Throughout July, P-7, S-4, and S-6 candidates took part in MOCK examinations, also known as pre-PLE, UCE, or UACE exams. Regular visits were conducted at Kidron Nursery and Primary School, Abba Father Junior School, and Jinja Progressive Academy throughout July to monitor academic progress. On the 23rd of July, a class visitation day was attended at Abba Father Junior School, where a notable improvement in students' performance was observed. Third term began on the 9th of September for some schools, while others started a week later on the 16th. At the end of September, a special academic meeting was held with school representatives to discuss the performance of sponsored children and establish strategies for improvement in Term 3. The focus of this meeting was to boost students' academic performance in the coming months.
Computer classes continued every day at the center for non-candidate students and ran full-time during the school holidays. During the school term, Primary three and four students attended these classes in the evening, along with music classes, until 6:00 PM.
The dormitory construction at Abba Father Junior School was finalized in July and has been in use for a month and a half, providing a safe living space for the students.
Regarding academic achievements, the second term ended with improved performance, especially for students who had been struggling previously. In September, the students at Abba Father Junior School went on an academic trip to Entebbe International Airport, UWEC, and UNMA, although many of the sponsored children were unable to attend due to financial constraints.
A special focus was placed on candidate classes during these months. In September, Primary Seven candidates at Kidron Christian Nursery and Primary School attended a holiday study program to prepare for the forthcoming PLE exams. Faith Shivan Misanya, a student at Kidron, was allowed to skip P-6 after excelling in her pre-PLE and, if successful in her final exams, will join secondary school in 2025.
Parental involvement has been actively encouraged. Several meetings with parents of sponsored children were held, particularly in August and September, to emphasize the importance of their support in the education of their children, especially those in candidate classes.
Kampala
During the trimester spanning July to September 2024, the education program in Kampala continued with follow-up activities for our children at different schools, particularly as candidate classes prepared for pre-international exams. These assessments helped determine their readiness for the upcoming national exams, and our team worked closely with head teachers to identify areas for improvement. Throughout this period, we ensured that all students had the necessary support from both teachers and parents, who, despite often being uneducated themselves, remained committed to their children's academic success. The parents made great efforts to stay informed by maintaining close communication with teachers, using phones to follow up on their children's academic performance even when they were unable to help directly with homework.
Additionally, educational trips were organized, funded by parents and guardians, allowing children to visit places such as the zoo, factories, waterfalls, and Masese fish landing sites. These excursions are critical as they enrich learning and align with topics covered in national geography and social studies exams. We believe that these hands-on experiences not only solidify academic knowledge but also provide invaluable exposure to practical applications of what they learn in school.
As the term ended in mid-August, report cards for most classes were distributed, and the results are about to be communicated to the sponsors. As of now, we are just waiting the pre-national exams results from the candidate classes. We are very happy to say that most kids had a good performance.
2. NUTRITION PROGRAM
Kampala
The Nutrition Program has remained consistent, with hot meals provided every Sunday to over 107 children. During these sessions, we served a variety of nutritious meals, including rice and groundnut sauce with silverfish for two weeks, and beans and posho for the remaining weeks. These meals have been crucial in ensuring that our children receive balanced nutrition, which directly impacts their health, learning, and overall well-being.
Jinja
The Saturday feeding program continued consistently throughout July, August, and September. Children enjoyed hot meals every weekend, which not only supported their physical well-being but also contributed to improved attendance and participation in other programs.
3. HEALTH AND EYE-CARE PROGRAM
Jinja
In July, three children—Odeke Joseph, Aloka, and Byaruhanga—developed severe skin rashes and were treated at St. Nic Medical Centre. Nakawala Babra fainted on the 29th of July due to severe malaria and typhoid and had to be rushed to the hospital. Quick intervention saved her life, allowing her to return to school without missing extended periods due to illness. In August, 162 children suffered from flu and malaria following the onset of the rainy season, which severely impacts slum dwellers. All received treatment and recovered fully. September saw a rise in malaria cases due to the seasonal rains. Kigenyi Andrew was diagnosed with severe malaria, which later relapsed, requiring immediate attention. Namuganza Chloe also battled malaria, but her mother managed to cover the medical expenses from her savings.
While the health conditions were challenging during these months, timely interventions ensured the children received the care they needed. The overall health of the children is expected to improve as the rainy season subsides.
Kampala
During this period, we didn’t record any major illnesses among the children. We attribute this success to our efforts in educating parents on the importance of mosquito nets and the proper use of water filters, which have significantly reduced cases of malaria and waterborne diseases. In addition, we facilitated an eye treatment program for 26 beneficiaries in collaboration with Rudiger and with the support of several donors. The beneficiaries received treatment for various eye conditions, which not only improved their health but also restored hope and better quality of life for many. We are grateful for the continued support that made this possible.
4. VARIA PROGRAMS
Jinja
July was a busy month for team meetings. Weekly Ugandan team meetings were held with Susan and David throughout July and August.
The Jinja team celebrated Aidah’s birthday on the 25th of July and, later in August, the birthday of Masanso David, one of the music teachers, with the children at the center.
Kampala
We also experienced a sad moment in September when we lost one of our beloved community members, Atim Alice, which left a noticeable gap in the team. The community gathered to support her family, and we traveled to Gulu for her burial. Despite this loss, the organization came together with a strengthened resolve to continue serving the community and honoring her memory through our work.
On the administrative side, we welcomed a temporary volunteer, Achayo Peace, who offered computer lessons to the children. She was a valuable addition to the team, and we were pleased to see her grow through this opportunity. As a former sponsored child of 22STARS herself, Peace's journey serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through the program. However, in September, she got a new job and moved on from her role with us. We are proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the time she dedicated to giving back to her community.
Our efforts also extended to improving the Loan Program, which faced several challenges during the period. After a series of meetings, we implemented new strategies and regulations to strengthen the program and ensure better management. Key areas addressed included establishing clearer rules for repayment, setting realistic loan amounts, and creating a culture of mutual respect and responsibility between loan beneficiaries and committee members. The goal is to build a sustainable program that provides meaningful support to entrepreneurs in the community while maintaining accountability and transparency.