Autumn Impact Report 2022-2

IMPACT REPORT
March 2022 - September 2022

Tribute to Susan Ajok
It has been very difficult to come to terms with Susan's
death. Her presence is still felt in our conversations, as
well as in our meetings.
Passionate about change, she was dedicated to her
work and keen to see our organization achieve care
reform in Uganda.
Hearing her humorous stories was always fun, and she
always made sure we learned something valuable in
the process.
Following her departure from Straight Talk Foundation,
where we met, she joined Child's i. I was a radio
presenter, and she was a data clerk. We talked for a
long time in January 2020 about how much we had
both grown professionally since our early days at
Straight Talk, sharing stories about who mentored us,
and laughing at some of the values we held onto.
Susan valued her work family.
She knew every member of staff and volunteer by
name. She was interested in getting to know everyone
and spent time understanding who they were. She
valued team development as well, and made sure that
all employees had an equal opportunity to learn and
grow.
She also valued staff well-being, and acknowledged the
impact that the C19 lockdown and subsequent
transitions had had on everyone’s emotional energy, so
she encouraged regular reflection meetings to deal
with this, in which she stressed the importance of
celebrating achievements and learning from what could
have been done better.
Because of Susan's support and encouragement, we
have a stronger and more connected team. One that
looks out for one another and celebrates milestones
together.
There is a lot we will miss about Susan, but especially
her dedication to women's rights, and youth advocacy.
We will also remember her love for music.
Child's i would like to extend our gratitude to all our
friends, donors, supporters, and partners who have
reached out, and offered support. We are also very
grateful to everyone who reached out to Susan's family
during this time.
2

​
This impact report is dedicated to Susan, whose
leadership at Child's i helped to achieve the
milestones detailed here.
In this edition of our impact report, we highlight
the support peer parenting and advocacy
groups offer to parents facing a range of
difficulties.
We also amplify the voices of young people with
care experience to understand how they
provide peer mental health support to other
young people.
We also share Tororo's transformation story and
the impact it is already having on children and
families living in a district without orphanages.
I'm delighted to share with you an overview of
our new strategy "Family" that will be launched
in January 2023. We have consulted far and
wide, but most importantly, we listened to
children, families and communities.
With the increased cost of living and the recent
outbreak of Ebola, many Ugandan families and
children continue to face heightened risks.
Our trained and trusted community volunteers
and our youth well-being champions, with
support from our social work team, continue to
reach families and children. With your continued
support,they will remain there as long as our
communities need them.
Your support continues to be vital in helping us
keep families and children together, whatever
the situation, orphanages cannot be the
alternative.
Our Impact
30
2,128
Families supported with food
parcels, medical care, education and
other assistance to ensure they stay
together
Foster carers
trained to provide a
safe and loving
home for children
23
153
children transitioned
from orphanages into
safe and loving
families
41
Foster carers approved by the
local government
Young people were
reached and suported
by trained well being
champions
Parents of children with
disabilities were trained
on parenting, child rights
and child protection
892
Christopher
Christopher Muwanguzi
Chief Executive
Child's i Foundation
2 community
Institutions were
supported to
transition into
hubs
Our achievements between March to September 2022
3

Scaling through peer
support groups
As a leading advocate of family and community-based
care in place of institutional care, we recognize the
importance of ensuring that parents have a platform
to amplify their voices.
We are supporting the development of a parent
movement to advocate for the importance of familybased
care and deinstitutionalisation in their
communities, influence local and national policies.
Peer parenting and advocacy groups have been
established across Tororo, Mpigi and Kampala districts.
These have been equipped with training in leadership
and community mobilisation and are crucial in
creating sustainable and long-term change that they
want to see in their communities.
With the knowledge and skills acquired, peer groups
are now gatekeepers in their communities responding
to and referring children at risk of separation. This
includes those with disabilities.
The Adoptive Parents Association, now a successful
and independent movement of adoptive parents in
Uganda, advocates for changes to the adoption law.
What parents say ...
"We share our problems and listen to each other.
Together, we discuss solutions to address these
problems."
"The group provides us with a better
understanding of how to support our children
especially children with additional needs."
"From the support group, we have gained reliable
allies and advocates in our communities."
"I have been supported emotionally and developed
coping skills."
"I have a much better understanding of my
finances, and how to make a profit in a business."
21
Peer support groups have
been created
302
Parents have been trained
and supported through peer
support groups
4

Our visit to Namuwongo
A parenting group
During one of their monthly meetings, we met with the
parents to hear about their experiences. We also
discussed how the program has been useful for them
in learning new skills and building capacity to support
each other.
Nabukeera decided to join the peer group to join other
parents facing challenges similar to her own. "There’s
also a component of saving money for our children."
She tells us, "this also encouraged me to get involved."
she says with a smile.
Another parent we spoke with (Athieno) had the
impression that it was just her who found raising a
disabled child challenging. However, upon joining the
group, she realised that there were other parents who
had similar challenges."We were invited for a
sensitization training and discussion. We exchanged
advice and suggestions, and we also built each other
up," she explains.
Another parent, Nabakooza told us she felt sad about
her situation but when she joined, she realised that she
was not alone. She has also been able to start a new
business with financial support from the group.
Namubiru recaps that during the training, she realised
that their children were not burdens and she
acknowledged that she needed to show more love to
her child.
Athieno recaps how the training encouraged her saying
“We used to plan for children who had no disability
and not for children with disabilities. But meeting and
listening to other parents has taught me to take heart.
We were also taught the various things we can do to
prevent some of the disabilities. We were advised that
the right solution is to speak to a maternal health
worker and to visit a hospital for antenatal care."
When Nabulya first heard about the group, she felt
relieved that her child was not forgotten. She was so
pleased that she had made new friends and stopped
feeling sorry for herself.
Athieno credits the love and unity that has grown
among group members, who at first didn't know each
another but have since become friends and family.
"I advocate for children living
with disabilities, by raising
awareness regarding the
stigma they face.”
- Athieno Irene, Chairperson,
Namuwongo A Group
Ategeka says the group has helped her financial
position and financial literacy. She didn’t know how to
trade and make profits but through knowledge
sharing, she has learnt how to make a profit with her
business. Ategeka is one of the parents who received
support to start her own business.
Nabukeera’s child has a physical disability. She was
supported to buy mobility equipment to enable her
child to stand and sit.
Nabakooza was grateful for the income and advice to
start a vegetable business as she had no money to
support her four children. She can now support her
family.
"I advocate for children living with disabilities by
raising awareness regarding the stigma they face.”
Athieno shares. She continued on to share that her
mindset changed towards children living with
disabilities and now wants to share this with as many
people in the community.As a group chairperson
Athieno also advocates for economic strengthening
for her members. This is so that they are able to plan
and make informed financial decisions, as well as save
for difficult periods ahead.
Shadia, a mother of two, told us it is imperative to
empower partners (husbands) to be more inclusive
and responsible for families with disabilities. Shadia
attributes the causes of broken families to some
fathers failing in their responsibilities. She also cited
domestic abuse and family abandonment as the
results of a lack of awareness.
Athieno concludes our visit to the group with what
she says is a very pertinent lesson for us to take away.
"Despite their low incomes," she reminds us, parents
can still save. She continues on to say that as a group
they are building each others skills, to do things like
craft making. This will enable them to supplement the
income they earn and boost their income. In addition
to her, all of the parents are very proud of what they
have accomplished as a peer support and advocacy
group.
Peer parenting support and advocacy groups are
supported by the UBS Optimus Foundation and the
Ugandan local authority. Support groups build
financial literacy, business skills, parenting skills, and
peer support. In addition, the groups serve to amplify
the voices of parents with lived experience,
highlighting challenges faced by their families to duty
bearers (local authorities, politicians) in their
communities.
5

Building a network of
well-being champions
Project Goals
1,170
young people will be reached with
mental health information and
awareness.
10
Wellbeing committees
active across 5 districts.
120
Social workers trained on
trauma informed
approaches to address
mental health needs
among youth in Uganda.
117
Care experinced youth
trained as well being
champions.
With the support of Grand Challenges Canada, we
have created ten well-being committees across five
districts as part of our youth well-being project, which
is being carried out in partnership with local
government youth officers.
In addition to young people with lived experience of
care, well-being committees also include young people
with disabilities as well as those with lived experience
of care. The committees are also supported by, youth
leaders from organisations and a local government
social worker run support groups.
Youth-led and youth-run, this committee promotes
mental health awareness, life skills, and social skills
among young people. School life, budgeting,
relationships, and depression are among these topics.
As well as referring youth to specialist and clinical
support services, they also offer guidance and referrals.
As part of their advocacy efforts, they will aim to
challenge stigma in communities and provide support
and safe spaces for young people experiencing mental
illness.
80 social workers and 40 social workers have been upskilled
to help young people with mental health issues
as part of the project.
Additionally, the fund supported a youth-led learning
partnership between youth with care experience in
Uganda and students from Ugandan universities in
their final year of social work studies, in order to raise
awareness and combat mental health stigma among
young people through the development of a wellbeing
toolkit - "break the silence" - about mental health
issues.
Child's i Foundation, in partnership with Uganda Care
Leavers Association, No Limit Generation, and Makerere
University, is conducting a pilot research project.
Our aim is to publish a paper in the early part of 2023
demonstrating the validity of the approach and proof
of concept.
6

Brenda's story
Brenda is a care experienced youth, who is also a
trained and certified well-being champion. Following
her mental health and well-being training, she has
provided peer support to 17 young people in her
community over the last 6 months. She meets with her
mentees regularly, providing a safe space for them to
share their concerns.
Brenda's parents were unable to afford their children's
education, so Brenda and her siblings lived in an
orphanage. She and her siblings spent 9 years in an
orphanage before they had to leave. Whilst in the
orphanage she faced verbal abuse, which she says
affected her self confidence greatly. She shared that
on leaving, she struggled to cope, often felt depressed,
had feelings of anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Brenda had never had mental health support, until she
met with our project psychologist, Grace, who she says
helped her see life differently. From the structured
sessions she participated in, she feels she now has a
renewed sense of hope.
Following therapy, which she continues to access,
Brenda felt that she wanted to help other people, who
she knew were struggling like her. However, she had
never spoken to anyone about her mental health and
well-being.
She realised that most youth have a lot in common;
she listed them for us, naming depression, anxiety,
frustration and a feeling of hopelessness.
She meets with her fellow youth to reassure them,
share her story and help build their confidence using
drama, and games.“Most of the young people confide
in me, and share their hopes and dreams” she tells us.
Uganda Care Leavers
Association: achieving
impact at scale
The Uganda Care Leavers Association provides
support and assistance to children, young
people, and adults whose childhood was spent
in institutional care (including orphanages,
children's homes, and villages).
UCL currently has over 500 members who are
care leavers from across Uganda. Care leavers
are able to share their experiences, learn from
each other, and work together to accomplish
common goals through this network.
The youth well-being project also aims to
provide a forum for young people who have
experience of care to voice their concerns about
institutionalisation and advocate for their rights
concerning family, well-being, and mental
health.
As a result of the research conducted in this
project, we will be able to work in partnership
with Ugandan care leavers. By doing so, we will
be able to build a grassroots movement that will
compel care reform in Uganda and throughout
the world.
Many of the youth Brenda has supported want to go
back to school, get vocational skills, and get a good
job.
Brenda’s vision is to create a safe space for vulnerable
youth to enjoy sports, music dance and drama.
While Brenda does not have a published name, she
has written several books so far, including "My uncle's
wife," "Return of Mothers," and "Dreamers." She is
optimistic that one day her books will be on the
bookshelves and some of her artwork will be turned
into plays. She also envisions herself running her own
successful business.
7

Tororo District
Child’s i Foundation signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Tororo District local government
in 2016 to transform the district's child protection and
care system.
The first step was to build support and identify
partners who were willing to take part in moving away
from institutional care. Different stakeholders, such as
community leaders and orphanage owners,
participated in partnership building meetings.
We based our key messages on 80 years of research
and evidence. Additionally, we encourage participants
to rethink the orphanage model and to reflect on the
root causes of child separation.
Community - led Child
protection explained
The Community Development Networks (CDNs) are
comprised of community members and are locally led.
They are made up of both local government officials
and community volunteers who work together to
ensure the safety of children and families.
When a child requires alternative care, community
volunteers serve as the first line of defense. They
identify at-risk families and children, and educate
communities on the importance of raising children in
families rather than orphanages. They change lives
every day - that’s in their job description!
Peer parenting advocacy groups are made up of
parents who have lived experience and are able to
provide peer support advice and advocacy for parents
and families who need support and want to be heard.
Champions and influencers are community leaders
who promote family strengthening and communitybased
alternatives.
The District Alternative Care Panel is a group of
representatives convened by the local authority. This
committee consists of local government officials,
parents and law makers, and it plays a critical role in
preventing children from being separated from their
families unnecessarily. In cases where separation
occurs, it provides for a suitable family and community
based alternative.
Homes that transitioned
Acts of Messiah closed their doors in 2016
and the children who had come into care as
young children had grown into young adults.
The 5 remaining children relocated to Jinja.
Awinjo Ministries closed in 2019 after all the
45 youth were resettled with their families. It
should be noted that they did not sign an
MOU, but rather worked in partnership on
case management and referrals for the
youth to be reunified.
Smile Africa Ministries transitioned into a
community hub offering feeding programs
for children, as well as a skilling centre for
baking, hairdressing and arts and crafts for
young adults and older women. 46 children
were reintegrated back into birth and
extended family care.
Tororo Children’s Home, also known as
Salvation Army, had 23 children who were
reintegrated. The facility was supported with
tailoring machines and now offers vocational
skilling to the public.
Mavuno Ministries was encountered in 2017
whilst in the early stages of setting up an
institute for babies, but alternative care
training and other consultation work brought
about a total change in mindset which
resulted in Mavuno Ministries abandoning the
idea of starting the babies’ home as they
had planned. As a result, they decided to
focus their efforts on providing support and
resources to families in need.
8

Impact in numbers
163
Children placed in safe and loving
families
275
Community volunteers trained and
active in their communities
53
13
Community Development Networks
set up and active across the district
Champions and influencers trained to
share awareness of the importnce of
family and community
80
Foster care and adoptive parents,
identified, trained, approved and
placed with children
Bringing change to
Tororo
Ms. Susan Alamai works for the local government in
Tororo District, in Eastern Uganda.
The local government has relied on her leadership
throughout the district's transformation. Susan is
responsible for all children under her jurisdiction as
the Probation and Social Welfare officer. As the first
district in Uganda to transition all of its orphanages,
Tororo district has pioneered the way for other
districts in Uganda to achieve collective care reforms.
Tororo district is located 4 hours away from Kampala.
Child’s i had existing relationships with the
government, other organisations, and importantly,
strong support from probation and social welfare
officer from the local government. This officer was
willing to drive the change. In addition, some of the
orphanages (children's homes) in the area were
already open to the idea of transition.
We also learned that it was imperative to clarify
expectations and address sources of resistance early
in the process to minimise backlash. Doing so
increased the likelihood stakeholders would
understand, internalise, and cooperate with the
proposal of care reform.
Working closely with Ms Alami, we were intentional in
articulating to stakeholders their future roles in caring
for children. We presented plans to repurpose the
residential care facilities to make a positive impact in
supporting children in their families.
Additionally, we presented the reintegration plans to
the children who would benefit from this transition.
To achieve this, clear and effective channels of
communication were needed with a deep
understanding of the emotional impact of the
proposed changes.
We recognized the importance of involving children
at every stage of the process if we were hoping to
bring about real change. Our staff were able to learn
from children, understand their point of view, and
ensure the process and outcomes were responsive to
their wishes. This was done intentionally by
incorporating child participation and feedback into
the transition process.
9
9

The 2023-2030 strategy
Nearly half of the world's children will live in Africa by
the end of the century. In the continent with the
highest level of poverty, there are numerous risk
factors for family separation.
If the global movement for care reform is to be
successful, change must be demonstrated and
achieved in Africa.
Child's i Foundation has been working in Uganda for
more than a decade now to develop an evidencebasedpractice
that will assist in shaping this change.
We are extremely proud of what we have
accomplished so far, which is far beyond what might
have been expected for an organization of our size.
Having demonstrated that children should grow up
with their families and not in orphanages, we are now
ready to scale our impact.
Now is the time to make a change. This is the civil
rights issue of our time.
It is our mission to bring African practice-based
evidence to the movement for global care reform, so
that one day every child will thrive in a safe and loving
environment.
Our goal
by 2030 Uganda is fully committed to children
growing up in families not orphanages
Our new strategic
objectives :
1. Consolidate and champion good practice
2. Scale up through partnership and collaboration
3. Mobilise a mass movement for care reform
through authentic Pastor Ruth, and Director African Smile voices Africa
Ministries.
10

Take Action
Change is possible
Join us in ensuring that every child in Uganda grows
up in a safe and loving environment.
It only takes one small act of generosity to make a big
difference in the lives of children growing up
separated from their families. There are many ways
you can make a difference for children in Uganda. You
can organize a running challenge with your friends,
donate for free while shopping online, or support our
work through philanthropy.
FIND OUT MORE
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and lasting impact of children growing up in families, not orphanages.
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11

Thank you to the families, community volunteers,
government officials, partners, staff, volunteers, and
supporters for making our work possible.
Goodwill Ambassador in Uganda
Lucy Bunyenyezi
Our Ambassadors in the UK
Richard Osman
Tamara Box
Sam Rowe-Beddoe
Greg Nasmyth
Mary O'Connor
Andy Ash
Deborah Francis-White
Nicola Horlick
Natascha Lander
Irem Yerdelen
Special thank you to our photographers Benjamin
Nsubaga and Mark Andrew Nsubuga.
Address in the UK: Child's i Foundation, Abbots Rift,
Monastery Gardens, Rotherfield.
Address in Uganda: Bukasa Rd, Kampala, Uganda
supportercare@childsifoundation.org
www.childsifoundation.org
Registered charity number: 1126212
Mission
To bring African practice-based evidence to the
movement for global care reform.
Vision
One day every child will
thrive in a safe and loving
family.