Absa Bank Uganda has handed over UGX 300 million raised from the 2024 Absa 7 Hills Run, an annual charity event organized in partnership with the Kampala Hash House Harriers (KH3).
This initiative aims to support the education of girls, ensuring they remain in school despite facing significant challenges.
A 2023 analysis by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) revealed a troubling statistic: approximately 1.2 million primary school learners drop out before reaching primary seven. This high dropout rate is attributed to factors such as poverty, early child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.
“We believe that education is a right every child should have access to, regardless of gender. The Absa KH3-7 Hills Run is our way of supporting the girl child because their story matters. We have distributed these funds among reputable social enterprises to tackle a societal challenge—supporting girls in their pursuit of education, providing skills training, and improving menstrual hygiene management,” said Mumba Kalifungwa, Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda.
Allocation of Funds:
– UGX 50 million to the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation, providing school fee bursaries for 22 girls at the Joshua Cheptegei Junior School, which offers full or partial bursaries to underprivileged children, particularly those talented in sports.
– UGX 20 million to the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, supporting school fee bursaries for vulnerable children in Rukungiri and Kanungu.
– UGX 50 million to Baylor College’s DREAMS program in Fort Portal City, funding school fees for 111 girls and aiming to reduce the vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women to HIV infection.
– UGX 30 million to Amref Health Africa’s Heroes of Gender program, providing 1,875 girls with reusable sanitary pads and supporting teen mothers by paying school fees and offering menstrual health and hygiene support.
– UGX 60 million to Windle International for the purchase of bicycles, benefiting 266 girls who face long and unsafe commutes to school. This initiative helps reduce the risk of sexual harassment and exploitation, which often leads to high dropout rates.
– UGX 90 million to World Vision to strengthen menstrual hygiene management in Karamoja, providing access to clean and safe water for over 5,000 girls.
In his remarks, Mr. Kalifungwa expressed gratitude to the general public and partners for their support of this noble cause.
“Through this support, we aim to reduce school absenteeism and dropout rates among girls. We are deeply thankful for the overwhelming public support during the run, which has made this impact possible.”
