In Uganda, over 2 million children are orphans or otherwise vulnerable, representing 14% of the nation’s children. One in four households in Uganda fosters at least one orphan. Fostering by kin or community members is recognized as the best option for orphans and the costs are far less than those of caring for children in orphanages. Many programs in Uganda seek to support orphans and vulnerable children, in alignment with both international policy and Uganda’s national policy. Although there is some research on the efforts to assist orphans in Uganda, few studies have been conducted to find out how programs impact families and orphaned children.
This project examined a community-based program, Action for Children (AFC) in Uganda that provides support and assistance to families raising orphaned and other vulnerable children. Findings suggest that the households’ need in certain categories, such as housing and food security, decreased significantly after services were received. Children’s senses of belonging and permanency appeared promising. The program’s strengths are discussed with recommended changes, as well as implications for policy, practice, and further research.
The program is significantly helping families move out of the most desperate (“very needy”) category, particularly in the most immediate needs areas such as housing and food security. These tend to be short-term, cost-effective services rather than long-term, sustainability-building services. The report identifies AFC’s challenge to be to move families to greater and longer-lasting self-sufficiency. Recommended methods include increased assistance with longer-term microcredit projects and sustainable food production. Adult literacy and education for all children should also be included among the longer-term goals for AFC.
