
Second Chance Education Project, Uganda
(2015-17)
In the Bududa District of Eastern Uganda, the average woman has nine children and conceives her first child at 14 years of age. If a girl who is fortunate enough to go to school gets pregnant, her education usually ends there. As a result of high teen pregnancy, and the general view that it is not worth investing in girls’ education, there are large numbers of girls who drop out of school after attaining some secondary education. These girls are literate, as the parents have often invested over seven years in their education. But they have no certifiable qualification to either seek employment or further their education. As a result, they end up getting married at an early age and becoming dependent on their husbands who are often abusive. Alternatively, they depart for cities to work as domestic workers, consequently exposing themselves to all the societal vulnerabilities that affect uneducated, poor women.
When these girls have an opportunity to complete post-secondary education and acquire vocational training, they are able to earn a living and change their lives, the lives of their children, and the community at large. With Forgirlsake’s scholarship funds for the SCEP and PDI’s nurturing support, they can continue their studies in high school, college, or vocational programs such as teaching or nursing.
Photo courtesy of Warren Zelman Photography.

