How BONGA programme is empowering teens in Northern Uganda
Officials during the event last week
What you need to know:
- The organisations, according to officials, have been extending the said help through the BONGA programme which ran between 2021 and 2023.
A section of youths from different districts of Northern Uganda last week lauded the Norway-based AKO foundation for helping them attain their education.
The youths, majority teenagers listed; instillation of skills among them, giving them hope and new life to teenage mothers and supporting the vulnerable communities with education services, as some of the tangible help they have received from numerous national and international organisations with funding from the AKO foundation.
The organisations, according to officials, have been extending the said help through the BONGA programme which ran between 2021 and 2023.
The second phase of this programme was launched in Obongi district last week and it will run between 2024 and 2026.
It focuses on helping children in primary schools and their counterparts who are out of school in the region to access formal and non-formal Education.
The program is being implemented by Strømme Foundation, a rights-based development NGO in Norway in collaboration with PALM Corps, and Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment (RICE West Nile), with funding support from AKO foundation from Norway.
Implemented in the districts of; Moyo, Yumbe, Obongi, and Karamoja, the programme addresses key reasons why children drop out of school by providing training in, mindset change, life skills, menstrual hygiene management and home gardening which help in family food supplies which also, in turn eases school-related expenses.
Officials pose for a group photo with the benefiting children
These partners have also implemented PACES (Programme for Adolescent and Children’s Education in Social Empowerment) project with support from the said districts.
Officials said that the BONGA programme has been established in different schools for example Belle Primary School and Morobi primary school in Obongi district to train learners with mindset change first, then later income generating programmes are introduced.
Speaking at the function last week, Ms Dinah Morgan, the Country Director of Strømme Foundation lauded the AKO foundation who have funded the project to fight poverty through inclusive education to the little ones, primary children and those transiting from primary school.
Over 5000 children, she said have benefited between 2021 and 2023 through attainment of education and also construction of classrooms, and purchase of hundreds of desks.
“The reason our funders AKO foundation are here is to move to the field to see the progress, impacts and success stories of the children as a result of the BONGA program and promised that they’re still continuing. We are still continuing with the AKO foundation from 2024-26 with the same agenda of improving quality education,”
Erik Lunde, the Secretary General of Strømme Foundation said that they realised a need to empower the youths with education especially those who dropped out of schools.
Mr Pax Sakari, the Executive director – RICE WEST NILE encouraged learners never to give up because everyone passes in that stage to become better in life.
He also appreciated the AKO foundation group for supporting and accepting to come to such rural areas in Northern Uganda where boys and girls through BONGA have learnt how to make liquid soap, reusable pads so that the girls maintain in school, leadership skills, peers education to help adolescents become self-reliant, debate, presentations, confidence, etc.
Relatedly, the Headmaster of Labelle primary school, Mr Khemis Marjan appreciated this project and said now the students can speak confidently, they have gardens,
“AKO foundation has helped us to improve our school environment, its green,” he said adding, “They also support with scholastic materials like books, chalk and others,”
Dr Abbey Anyanzo, the executive director of PALM CORP appreciated Strømme Foundation for making it possible through different donors for them to participate in transforming lives.
Beneficiaries
Given Kabiong, a student of Morobi primary school, said that the rate of teenage pregnancies and school absenteeism among girls have reduced because of the BONGA Programme.
Fikira Sarah, a senior three student at Idiwa Parent’s school in Palorinya Refugee settlement in Obongi district said she was forced to flee her homeland (South Sudan) together with her family because of the war.
Strømme Foundation through Palm corps in 2020, she said, started empowering her skills training in tailoring and awareness sessions.
“I I'm very glad because through the BONGAprogram I got a lot of knowledge and skills, especially life skills, decision making, self-awareness etc. which are playing a critical role in my life,” she said.
Poni Stella, from Morobi primary school said, “I no longer miss school due to menstruation because I do my own reusable pads, My mother has stopped spending on pads because I now make my own and for my sister's at home. I do liquid soap which I use for income and also at home for cleaning” She adds that her performance has greatly improved,” she said.
Hellen Madodri, another student, said that she has gained confidence and engaged in self-reliance courtesy of the BONGA program.
