The Early Childhood Development Center (ECD)

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) center for children of sex workers plays a crucial role in breaking cycles of poverty and marginalization that often trap such families. The ECD offers more than just education; it provides a safe environment, emotional support, and opportunities for children who might otherwise be neglected or face discrimination

The ECC in Kampala, Uganda started in 2020 as a result of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of the ECD was funded with a generous donation from Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish in Vancouver, Washington, and the monthly operation was supported by an individual donor.

The school provides education, nutritious food, and a safe physical and emotional environment for the children of mothers in sex work. There is a great need for education for children of sex workers, in combination with a safe physical space and stable and healthy meals. The goal of the ECD is to increase access to valuable early childhood education while providing nutritious food in order to improve the health and well-being of this population.

The center is run by our partner organization, Rhythm of Life (ROL). ROL is a non-profit organization formed in 2013, which conducts health outreaches and provides support to sex workers in the red-light districts of Kampala, Uganda. It is a crucial lifeline for the children of sex workers through their services of providing valuable resources and connecting them to their community. Through our research with this population, mothers in sex work continue to emphasize that education and childcare support for their children are their top priorities, along with finding alternative income sources, making this center an essential source of support for local mothers in sex work.

In 2022, ROL expressed a need for additional funding for food as many of the children received their only meals at the ECD, as well as other educational resources and activities for the children. Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, generously agreed to assume responsibility for the month expenses to operate the school and increased the funding so the students have more nutritious food. This funding has allowed us to sustainably finance the school while also providing healthy meals for the children and more educational enrichment. According to Harriet Kamashanyu, the Founder and the Executive Director of ROL, and the Director of the EDC, the additional funding for food has had a profound impact on the children’s health and education. With the funding for additional nutritious food, the children’s academic performance has greatly increased.

In 2024, the ECD has continued to flourish. There are currently 17 children who attend full-time. Four children are 3 years old, 10 children are 4 years old, and three children are 5 years old. Following the national school curriculum standards in Uganda, the children are at school from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, meaning they will receive four meals a day. The ECD staff serve breakfast, a midday snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. The total number of meals served per month is 1,360. Breakfast consists of a cup of tea, porridge, and a snack (bread or half cake). The midday snack is usually yogurt and a fruit (watermelon, banana, or pineapple). For lunch, the children are prepared for a traditional meal of matooke, rice, groundnuts, beans, peas, and meat with an alternating sauce depending on the day of the week. The afternoon snack is a cup of tea and cake.

The ECD partners with a local school, Makarios Junior School, so that the learners can enter primary school and easily move from one grade to the next. Most of the students returned for the first two terms of 2024.  This consistency has resulted in improved social skills and positive behavioral changes as they are further integrated into their communities. Therefore, it is very good news that the retention rate is high and the students will continue their education in a formal elementary school.

ROL is pleased to report that the students are happy about the school environment and they always look forward to going to school. There has also been good cooperation with the mothers, who are very pleased that their children are in a safe school environment. Global Health Promise is truly thankful for the support of Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, which has continued to sustain our partnership with ROL and the ECD.