While many of us are enjoying a return to normal life following the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the children of Uganda are still struggling for basic resources. Ugandan schools are not scheduled to reopen until January 2022, which will mean a closure of almost two years — the longest in the world. During the giving season, we’re hoping to help improve the situation for students in Uganda and show the world what EarlyBird has been doing to help.

Last year, Earlybird started working with Rev. Nayenga Primary School in Kamuli, in Eastern Uganda. The students here come from underprivileged families, and many are lucky to receive one full meal per day. This means that they are forced to try to learn on an empty stomach, which makes concentration very difficult. In Uganda, test results play a huge role in determining a child’s future, so these children are at a severe disadvantage and are often unable to improve their situation.

We started by offering our signature Porridge Program, which provides students with a free meal to start the day. However, we knew that providing breakfast was only the first step in ensuring a promising future for this next generation. One of our most important goals is to not just feed underprivileged children, but to help them develop the ability and confidence to express themselves.