“VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA WAS SUCH A THRILLING AND LIFE- CHANGING EXPERIENCE. I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THE PEOPLE I MET AND ENJOYED TREMENDOUSLY THE CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND PRIVILEGE OF ENGAGING IN RICH DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EDUCATION FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.”


30 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2024


between 40 and 60 students. We engaged in conversations with the teachers and head teachers at the schools and learned about some of the challenges they face. One of the concerns shared by a principal from Kabale was the dropout rate of female students. In this particular school, the lack of good toilet


facilities and menstruation supplies


kept girls away. Keeping girls in school is a significant concern in many regions of Ugan- da because of a host of factors, including pov- erty, early marriage, and gender violence. We clearly saw the need for developing gender- responsive school environments and under- stood why CTF, in collaboration with UNA- TU, established the Simameni project in early 2020. Simameni means “stand up” in Swahili. Te goal of this initiative is to improve access, retention, and educational opportunities for


Children leaving school and terraced fields, Kabale, Uganda.


PHOTO BY CHRISTINE COUSINS


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