Educating Girls Transforms an Entire Community
In the heart of Uganda’s Albertine region, 16-year-old Annette’s story began like that of many girls her age. Two years ago, she was facing the end of her education. Her family, struggling to make ends meet, had arranged a marriage for her. “I thought my dreams of becoming a nurse were over,” Annette recalls, her voice still carrying the echo of that fear.
Today, Annette is not only still in school but is at the top of her class in science subjects. She is a peer educator in GTYI’s Sexual Reproductive Health program and mentors younger girls in her village. Her transformation began when a GTYI community mobilization team visited her family.
The Intervention That Changed Everything
GTYI’s approach to keeping girls like Annette in school is multifaceted. We provided a scholarship that covered her school fees, uniform, and supplies. More importantly, our team worked with her parents, explaining the long-term benefits of education and helping them explore alternative income-generating activities. Through our regular community dialogues, we addressed the deep-rooted cultural beliefs that prioritize early marriage over education.
“At first, my father was resistant,” Annette shares. “But when the GTYI team explained how educated women contribute more to their families and communities, he began to see things differently. They also connected my mother with a women’s savings group where she learned sustainable farming techniques.”
