Uganda

To help bridge the learning gap created by COVID-19, we developed a distance learning model. Its most successful components are now being embedded into our pre-pandemic model in order to continue optimizing its impact for youth.

Why Uganda?

of the population is under 18

UNICEF Uganda

of secondary school graduates are unemployed

ActionAid International Uganda

2022 Uganda Reach

30,000+

youth measurably impacted through their participation in our in-school model

1,000+

out-of-school youth are participating in our bootcamps

2019 marked a special milestone for Educate! in Uganda — ten years of operating our flagship Educate! Experience model in schools across the nation. We've learned so much since we launched in 2009 (and Educate! has grown nearly 40x!), but we have remained steadfast in our mission to prepare youth with the skills to succeed in life after school.

In Uganda, our services include:

**School Solutions**

Educate! Experience

Read more here

**Out-of-School Youth Solutions**

Skills Bootcamps

Read More Here

We also work in partnership with the Ugandan government.

our government engagement

Where We Work in Uganda

Stories from Uganda

Featured

The Power of Localization in Education for Out-of-School Youth

Localization means adapting to suit local realities. Our bootcamps are uniquely tailored to address the differing challenges and opportunities present in each community. Educate! conducts thorough research to understand the diverse youth needs, obstacles and economic landscape of the area. This in-depth understanding allows us to more effectively meet the specific needs of youth.

Crafting Success: Prossy and Ivan Build Skills for Community Impact

Empowering youth in Africa with skills for dignified livelihoods and employment doesn't just support them to improve their personal prospects – it can also trigger positive ripple effects throughout their communities. Prossy and Ivan from Uganda are among the many young people translating practical skills learned through Educate!’s livelihood bootcamp into impact.

From Education to Occupation: Thriving in Today’s Economy with Skills Lab

Every year, 10-12 million young Africans enter the job market, but there are only 3 million formal jobs, resulting in 95% of youth working in the informal sector. As education systems in Africa grapple with preparing students for the realities of a labor market marked by unique challenges, innovative teaching methods have a critical part to play. Educate!'s Skills Lab pedagogy offers a scalable solution to empower youth.

Ronnie’s Story: Unlocking Potential through a Combination of Soft and Hard Skills

Educate!’s core experience centers the critical soft skills we see as building blocks for long-term success. On top of that foundation, we layer the entrepreneurial skills youth in East Africa need to thrive in their largely informal local economies. Ugandan Educate! graduate, Ronnie, is leveraging this combination to drive the success of his small enterprise while also giving back to the community.

From Classroom to Community: Peace's Gender Equity Journey

Through participation in the Educate! Experience, Peace was motivated to become a leader in her school and beyond - building confidence and becoming a fierce advocate for gender equity. We know that educated and empowered girls, like Peace, create more equitable societies. From shaping policies to providing learning materials that combat traditional gender norms, Educate! is committed to implementing a gender-transformative approach.

Ritah Strengthens her Skill Set and Grows Her Business

Ritah’s passion for entrepreneurship stems from her upbringing. From an early age, she was taught how to interact with customers at her family’s shop. These experiences instilled in Ritah the importance of leveraging her skill set to realize her goals. As an active participant in Educate!, Ritah continuously sought leadership opportunities - eager to grow both personally and professionally while also contributing to her community.

Sarah Creates Sustainable Futures for “You and Me”

Throughout her life experiences, Sarah has developed an incredible zeal for the importance of self-reliance. When we last talked to Sarah, she was running a series of small businesses in Jinja, Uganda. For Sarah, these endeavors paved the way for independence when her father’s sudden passing left her family unable to support Sarah and her siblings. Coupled with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, Sarah’s determination not only led her to finish secondary school and secure financial freedom but also inspired her to help those in a similar position. She ultimately dreamed of starting an orphanage. Today, Sarah is one step closer to this goal.

Olivia Builds Her Business and Her Self-Esteem

When her father passed away and her family could no longer afford her school fees, Olivia had to drop out of secondary school in Western Uganda. At 25 years old, Olivia viewed herself as a girl from a modest background, dependent on her mother to support her basic needs. Then, Olivia joined SisterConnect, an Educate! bootcamp aimed to provide an alternative pathway to employment for youth who are unable to access post-primary education. Over the next few weeks, Olivia would build more than just a business.

Impact Multiplied: How Joan Is Creating a Pathway for Herself and Other Women in Her Community

Despite learning from experience that women are capable of anything, when Joan entered secondary school, she started to feel like she didn't belong. Thanks to Joan’s perseverance, the network of support she created for herself, and the skills she’s honed through Educate!, today, Joan is a small business owner, a lab technician student, and an incredible mentor.

Girl Power: Bridget’s Baking Inspires Us & Other Young Entrepreneurs

When COVID-19 spread across borders, concerns grew for the world’s young people, who were hit hardest by the pandemic’s economic impacts. For many youth navigating an already complex job market, finding a job or starting a business became all the more challenging, and we weren’t sure how young people might respond to such a significant disruption. However, we weren’t surprised to see youth like Bridget take hold of their futures with optimism, undeterred by the pandemic’s challenges.