Access to BookAid Book Award for our Community Library

This campaign is a one-off campaign dedicated to raising funds for our Community Library in Kasangati, Wakiso District, Central Uganda.

We have been awarded 10 boxes of books by Book Aid, and need to pay $100 to be able to pick them up and put them on the shelves of our Community Library, currently being completed within our Educational Centre situated in Nangabo, Kasangati, Kyadondo Block 120 Plot 94.

These books will help poor households, children and the youth from surrounding communities have access to a safe learning and reading space. They will also support our Mentor A Mum project, dedicated to young mothers, aged 12 to 18.

Developed in response to the widespread concern of early pregnancy in Uganda, the Mentor A Mum (MAM) project addresses the causes and consequences of teenage pregnancy by leveraging the very social support and education young mothers aged 12 to 18 are denied by their situation.

Early pregnancy is widespread across Uganda, affecting 1.2 million girls aged 12-16 every year. The social stigma and economic repercussions an excluded young mother faces generally end her school career. The moment her pregnancy is detected, a girl finds herself with no recourse for support, monetary or social. Now, with a newborn requiring significant care, a girl, still a child herself, is expected to stave off family dishonour with early marriage and almost no prospect for quality education.

We address this situation by putting young mothers in a position to take decisions about their own futures and those of their children. Through our mentorship programmes, we assist young mothers with personalized educational options: to re-enter formal primary education, prepare for the Primary Leaving Examinations and enter secondary education, or to participate in our Alternative Education Programmes (tailored courses and training) if they are unable to re-enter formal education.

MAM promotes the economic and social reintegration of teenage mothers as respected citizens in their communities. While these mothers are currently facing hardship, disrespect, shame and the prospect of marriage against their will as a survival solution to their pregnancies, our approach leans on mentors to build skills and change mindsets. The holistic formal education offered through MAM paves the way for young mothers to gain financial autonomy and support themselves and their babies.

Note that the additional $200 will be kept for future awards from Book Aid, which we are expecting in the next couple of months.

All supporters will receive news and photos of our Community Library once we access the awarded books, so please don't forget to share your email address when you donate.

We thank you in advance for your contributions.

Emerge For Africa's Team.