Education and Long-term Institutions

Pader Girls Academy
Christian Counseling Fellowship

Funding supports the work of a community-based organization, the Christian Counseling Fellowship, to address the plight of underserved child mothers, their children, and other vulnerable children affected by armed conflict in the district.

An overwhelming majority of young girls and women who return from rebel captivity with children miss their formal education and, as a result, lack livelihood options to meet their needs and the needs of their children.

With support from the Uganda Fund, CCF has built the Pader Girls’ Academy, which offers secondary education and vocational training to enhance the skills of child mothers and other formerly abducted children, as well as provide support to those affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS, and counseling to address the psychological and effects of violence and mass displacement. CCF is also engaging child mothers in income-generating projects, including a popular restaurant and catering business in Pader town, while providing secondary school scholarships and training for social workers and child counselors from Pader and other districts.

2008 highlights include:

• 46 girls were enrolled in an intensive academic program from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Subjects included mathematics, English, biology, chemistry, physics, agriculture, geography, history, religious education, political science, commerce, accounting and fine arts. Students also played sports and received counseling on weekends.
   
• 32 students received vocational training in tailoring, catering and baking.
   
• 72 child mothers attended a six-month accelerated learning program to help them catch up after long periods away from school. 52 of the girls will resume studies in their appropriate grade in 2009.
   

Young women learn useful vocational skills at Pader Girls Academy