Dressed (and equipped!) for success

Ogaba Jacob’s children attend Kacheri Primary School in northern Uganda, which is part of the School Safe Zones component of CWS’s Together Program. Staff from the Together Program held meetings with parents and community members last year to reinforce the importance of sending children to school and make sure that their children had the needed supplies for learning. Staff also expressed the need for parents to follow up with their children and have a home environment that is conducive to studying.

Prior to these meetings, these weren’t high priorities for Ogaba. His children did not have uniforms or enough books. They would complain to him about it, but it didn’t bother him. This year, though, he purchased uniforms and complete sets of books for his three children. He became an advocate in the community, promoting school enrollment to other families.

Parents, children, teachers and school administrators gathered for the Parent’s Day celebration at the school, where Ogaba was awarded the award of model parent of the year for his efforts. His prize was a new mattress!

His message to fellow parents is simple: “I appeal to you that all these things are true: take all your children to school, and provide for them all the necessary requirements needed in school.”

Ogaba has bright dreams for the future his children and community. He says, “I am so happy: my children will be in school, and I will see them all complete their studies and become better people who will bring development to this land thanks to the Together Program!”