On Rusinga Island, every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and build a future. Our Girl/Boy Child Education programme works to make that a reality — removing the barriers that push children out of school and building a community where parents, teachers, and neighbours protect every child’s right to education.
Why children drop out
Too many girls and boys on Rusinga Island leave school before they finish — not because they want to, but because of circumstances beyond their control. The barriers we work to address include:
- Early and unplanned pregnancy
- Drug and substance abuse
- Negative peer influence
- Inability to pay school fees
- Lack of school uniforms and supplies
- Orphanhood and family instability
- Gender-based violence
What we do
Our programme takes a whole-community approach — supporting children directly while empowering the parents and guardians around them.
- Identifying needy children and orphans — we work within the community to find children who are at risk of dropping out and connect them with support
- School fees support — helping families who cannot afford the cost of keeping their children in school
- School uniforms — providing uniforms to children whose families cannot cover this expense, removing one of the most common reasons for non-attendance
- Partnership with local authorities — working alongside government and community leaders to strengthen child protection and education access across the island
Parental Support Group
Parents are the first line of protection for every child. Our Parental Support Group brings mothers and fathers together in regular peer meetings — a safe space where parents can share experiences, support one another, and build the knowledge and confidence to keep their children safe.
Together, parents discuss and take action on:
- Keeping children safe from drugs and substance abuse
- Preventing early pregnancy and supporting girls who are at risk
- Recognising and responding to signs of peer pressure and violence
- Practical strategies for keeping children engaged in school
- Supporting each other through financial hardship and family challenges
When parents are informed, connected, and supported — children stay in school, stay safe, and have the chance to become the next generation of leaders on Rusinga Island.
How you can help
A school uniform costs just a few dollars. School fees for a term can change a child’s entire trajectory. If you would like to support a child’s education on Rusinga Island, visit our donation page or get in touch with us directly.