In late 2023, Crossroads sent a shipment to an organisation in Uganda which is supported by a partner here in Hong Kong. This was a real encouragement and help for the people in an area where it is a struggle to keep up with the demand for educational opportunities at all levels. From basic infrastructure like classrooms and toilet blocks to furniture and textbooks to computers and vocational training equipment, the needs are very evident.
For many families, parents simply cannot afford to send their children to school at all—any funds which come in are needed for food and not available for school uniforms or stationery, basic requirements for children to go to school. It can even be the case that the children need to be at home to collect firewood and water. This is where our partner steps in, helping families to get their children educated. As they said to us, “A substantial portion of the population, particularly children, face barriers to accessing quality education. With nearly 50% of children not completing primary school, families often prioritize immediate economic needs over educational pursuits. This lack of education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as individuals without education have limited job opportunities and earning potential.”
Like the contents of the last shipment, many of the goods target children and are education-related, helping poorer children to be motivated and able to stay at school, transforming their own lives and the lives of their families and communities. But plans are well underway for a health centre, and job creation and training for young people, and the shipment will also contain computers and equipment to aid with these plans.
Below: Stationery and school bags were happily received at a distribution event at school. More of this will be arriving for the next pupils.
Rebecca and her mother live in one room of this building and life is hard. Cooking food is a challenge in this basic kitchen. But with help from this project, Rebecca can go to school and look forward to a better future.
Basic equipment like hospital beds, chairs and bedding are so welcome when you have very little. The project aims to provide more health facilities and job training with help from Crossroads.
This is Robert, who has been able to continue at school thanks to support from our partner organisation. He shares a bedroom with his mother, but at least he has the means now to attend school.
Another child has dressed up smartly to receive items from the last shipment – school bags, stationery and bedding for him, and a few household items for his family.
