The Family Care for Children in Uganda project, funded by Catholic Relief Services, is being implemented in Wakiso sub-county (Wakiso District) and Kyazanga Town Council (Lwengo District). This government-led initiative is supported by para social workers and parish chiefs, aiming to reform child care practices and enhance family-based care for children.
As part of this project, we are strengthening several 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 engaging 200 families in parenting sessions and Child Optimised Financial Education (COFE) programs. The COFE sessions aim to help caregivers make better financial decisions and increase investments in children in their care. We have established eight groups, each consisting of 25 members, to participate in COFE 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 COFE modules were translated into the local language (Luganda) by para social workers 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 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).
In addition to COFE sessions, six Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups have been established in Lwengo and Wakiso districts. 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.
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 and PSWO by 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, xx children have been placed into loving families, providing them with the stability and support they need.
The Family Care for Children in Uganda project is a successful collaboration between Child’s i Foundation and Home Free with funding from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 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 children in Wakiso and Lwengo districts.
