Uganda, CACI

The partner organisation
Change African Child International (CACI) is a local organisation in Uganda that mainly works in the cities of Kampala and Entebbe. CACI works with issues relating to children's rights, youth unemployment, health and education. Among other things, they have an established centre where they offer vocational training in sewing and crafts for unemployed young people.
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During the years 2013-2016, ALEF together with the project team developed teaching materials and a syllabus for three levels in Luganda. More than 5.5 million have Luganda as their mother tongue, making it the largest language in Uganda.
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The situation
CACI works mainly in the suburbs around the big cities of Kampala and Entebbe. Many people live here who have moved from the countryside in the hope of a better life. Many have not gone to school and illiteracy is widespread. But without education, it is difficult to make a living in the big cities and many end up in difficulties.
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Young people and adults who grow up without being able to read, write and count find themselves in huge exclusion. They become dependent on the goodwill of others, are often deceived, are unable to manage their finances, feel inferior and less worthy. They are often oppressed by others, which leads to even lower self-esteem.
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The courses
​In year 1, you learn basic reading and writing in Luganda and practice reading texts you create yourself. They talk about common everyday challenges and make decisions about how to handle them.
Year 2 focuses on how to use the four ways of counting in everyday life, while continuing with reading and writing. At this level, basic English is introduced.
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In the 3rd year, you read longer texts. Human rights are discussed based on the local situation. The groups learn how to start and run an economic association or cooperative together. They also learn to read and write in English, and to interpret various documents in English that they encounter in everyday life, e.g. bills, school grades and signs.
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After the third level, the groups continue to meet. Some start businesses together, others small cooperatives and most continue to meet to read books and newspapers together. In this way, they retain the group affiliation and continue to develop their writing, reading and numeracy skills
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The impact
You can read more about the impact of the project under the tab "Impact" on this website.
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KAMPALA
In brief
Started: 2015
Partner Organization: CACI
Language: Luganda
Area: Kampala
Number of groups 2024: 104
No of participants 2024: 2450