The Uganda Family Care for Children (UFFC) project is being implemented in Wakiso sub-county (Wakiso District), Kyazanga Town Council (Lwengo District) and in the Northern and Industrial Division (Mbale City) with funding from Catholic Relief Services. The project is government-led with support from para social workers and parish chiefs.
As part of this project in Wakiso sub-county and kyazanga Town Council, we are strengthening several parenting groups that meet weekly as well as child wellbeing committee groups that convene monthly to discuss and address critical child protection cases within their respective areas. These committees play a crucial role in safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring their welfare.
The project is actively engaging 200 families through parenting sessions and the Child Optimised Financial Education (COFE) program. The parenting sessions, grounded in the national parenting guidelines, have significantly enhanced both parenting and communication skills among participants. By providing practical tools and strategies, the sessions have empowered parents to foster stronger, healthier relationships with their children.
In addition to improving parent-child interactions, the sessions have sensitised communities on the vital roles of parents in child development. This awareness has extended to critical issues like child protection, with an emphasis on preventing all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As a result, families are better equipped to provide safe, nurturing environments for their children, contributing to overall community wellbeing.
“After the training, I reflected a lot on what was happening within my family. I decided to apply what I had learned-how to solve family issues amicably with my wife. Even when we disagree, we now know how to talk through the issues.”
Katerega William-parent
Moreover, the Child Optimised Financial Education program complements these efforts by equipping caregivers with essential financial education. Families learn to make informed financial decisions, optimise resources, and increase investments in their children’s future, reinforcing the holistic approach to family strengthening that this project promotes. We have established eight groups, each consisting of 25 members, to participate in the Child Optimised Financial Education sessions. These sessions cover 4 main modules that focus on key concepts related to financial education, child protection and HIV, financial tools and money management.
To ensure accessibility and full participation, all parenting and Child Optimised Financial Education sessions have been translated into the local language (Luganda) by para social workers during the trainings with support from the Community Development Officer (CDO) and the Probation and Social Welfare Officer (PSWO). Parents have reported significant benefits from these sessions, including learning effective parenting techniques, which they are now sharing with their children, neighbours, and community members.
The CDO and PSWO regularly monitor these sessions to ensure quality and adherence to the program manual. Our social workers assist the para social workers in delivering the sessions in the local language as well as encouraging parents to save as groups and benefit from government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM). So far, we have referred 12 families to the Community Development Officer for consideration under the Parish Development Model in Kyazanga Town Council, and 5 of those families have already received assistance from the program, each benefiting from UGX 1,000,000.
In addition to Child Optimised Financial Education sessions, six Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups have been established in Wakiso Subcounty and Kyazanga Town Council. Despite challenges such as high poverty rates that limit families’ ability to save, these groups are learning the importance of financial planning and collective saving.
“I used to see parents hiding children with disabilities, but now when I walk through the community, I see them out and about. I’ve sensitised parents, and now they allow their children to interact with others.”
Prossy Para saocila worker.
One key lesson learned is the need for extensive sensitisation to shift the mindset from expecting external support to encouraging self reliance and savings within the community. Advocacy and lobbying for government support for these small groups have also been identified as crucial steps for sustainability.
Through the project, 45 families have so far received unconditional cash grants, enabling them to meet basic needs such as education, medical care, and starting income generating activities. Families selected for business enterprise training were assessed using the Household Vulnerability Assessment Tool (HVAT) under the supervision of the CDO, PSWO and social workers.
The project also focuses on promoting kinship and foster care. Prospective foster carers are identified, assessed, trained, and approved by the District Alternative Care panel. Children who have experienced abuse or separation from their families are placed in foster care, and efforts are underway to reintegrate children from institutions back into family and community-based care. So far, 22 children have been placed into loving foster care families, providing them with the stability and support they need. Of these, 11 children have been reintegrated back to their families.
“As a result of the Child Optimised Financial Education training, parents are now involving their children in financial decision making, which has strengthened family bonds and improved communication. I have also seen a reduction in domestic violence cases in our communities.
Madina Sekandi-Para social worker
The Family Care for Children in Uganda project is a successful collaboration between Child’s i Foundation, Home Free and the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU). Through strengthening community structures, empowering families with parenting and financial education, and promoting kinship and foster care, the project is making significant strides in improving the welfare and protection of families.
