Uganda; Evaluation

The majority of activities were implemented as planned. Where activities were not achieved fully, it was a result of less external funding or target groups were smaller than anticipated, in part due to the continued return to villages of origin. For the same reason, community members were increasingly engaging in making a living, rather than joining War Child activities.

To keep this section as concise as possible, not all projects and their evaluations have been mentioned.

Learning for life in Uganda 
The goal of the project was to improve access to quality education (formal and/or non-formal) for parents, teachers, youth and children in and out of school. An evaluation performed by War Child revealed that:

• Access to education of illiterate parents and child mothers has been increased;
• Capacity of teachers to deliver quality lessons to children has been enhanced;
• School drop-out rates have been reduced;
• The resilience among the learners has been strengthened;
• The feeling of self worth and capacity to cope with life by the youth has been increased;
• Parental and community support to children is increased.

Based on the findings, the project will continue for two years. Recommendations made by the evaluators are taken into account.

ICT4Peace centres
In the ten ICT4Peace centres young people, children and other community members were able to work on their writing and reading skills. Some have found paid jobs because of their improved IT skills. The possibilities to interact with others and connect to the world have improved their sense of belonging. The centres have become a valued meeting place in the communities.

Other highlights
- Violence free schools: Children demanded an end to violence in schools through the ban on corporal punishment. At the local and regional level exhibitions were launched by children under the theme ‘Our right to an education free of violence’. A briefing paper on physical and humiliating punishment of children was developed and disseminated to key duty bearers. A text message campaign was issued on the subject of beating children;
- Peace activities: Community peace groups were formed and trained in 10 communities. Peace parks were created in 10 locations; in the peace parks people can come together, relax, discuss, celebrate, etc. A peace camp for young people brought together over 200 youngsters from all over the country to discuss and work on peace building in Uganda;
- A sports court in the Gulu District was developed. Sports materials and play equipment were provided to schools. Inter school and intern parish competitions in football and netball were organised;
- Teachers DEAL development and training: 150 teachers from 20 schools were trained on the Teachers DEAL method, an interactive work shop cycle for teachers. After the cycle 70% of the teachers were more motivated and 60% indicated that they had developed a more positive relationship with students.

Lessons learned

In three sub counties War Child worked on prevention of and response to sexual violence. The communities generated solutions to this problem themselves cumulating in the development of a booklet. Teachers in 17 schools were engaged in prevention work shops. Engaging men in these issues continues to be a challenge. War Child has responded by actively including more men in the community dialogue by raising awareness in the communities. Furthermore, the husbands of girls who participate in She DEALs are participating in the Big DEAL program.