Support 100 Children and Youths with Disabilities and Their Communities in Rural Uganda

Summary
Village Vision Care (VVC) is seeking support to empower 100 children and youths with disabilities and their communities in Kyanamukaaka, Uganda. By providing mobility devices, small water tanks, and practical skills training, this project will improve daily living, promote inclusion, and strengthen community resilience.
Challenge
Children and youths with disabilities in rural Uganda face severe barriers: stigma, lack of assistive devices, limited access to education, and poverty. Many cannot walk long distances to fetch water, while families often shoulder heavy caregiving responsibilities without resources or support.
• Nationally, only about 2% of primary school learners are children with disabilities, despite around 16% of children having a disability (World Bank, 2020).
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/factsheet/2020/02/07/special-needs-edu...
• Schools in rural areas often lack ramps, assistive devices, and trained special education teachers, leaving many children out of school (Uganda Radio Network, 2025).
https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/lack-of-infrastructure-teachers-hin...
• Households with children with disabilities face high poverty and limited access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Around 38% of Ugandans lack safe water, disproportionately affecting rural families (All Africa, 2025).
https://allafrica.com/stories/202505210059.html?utm
• Social stigma continues to limit participation in education, community life, and economic activities (UNICEF Uganda, 2019).
https://www.unicef.org/esa/media/5051/file/UNICEF-Uganda-2019-Situation-...
Without intervention, these children risk exclusion from education, poor health outcomes, and lifelong dependency, while families and communities continue to bear the burden.
Solution
This one-year project will support both the children/youths and their communities through:
• Assistive devices: Wheelchairs, crutches, and other tools to restore dignity and mobility.
• Water access: Small household water tanks for rainwater harvesting, reducing the burden of fetching water for children and caregivers.
• Skills training: Practical income-generating skills such as shoe-making, herbal jelly production, and coffee preparation to foster self-sustainability.
• Community awareness: Sessions to reduce stigma, promote inclusion, and build supportive networks for children with disabilities and their families.
Long-Term Impact
This project will transform lives and communities. Children and youths with disabilities will gain confidence, health, and economic potential through skills and support. Families will benefit from reduced caregiving burdens and improved water access. Communities will learn to value inclusion and the contributions of persons with disabilities.
By addressing both immediate needs and long-term sustainability, this project helps create a ripple effect, empowering individuals, families, and the entire community to build a more inclusive, resilient, and self-reliant future.

Proposed Budget – $150,000
Item / Activity Quantity / Scope Estimated Cost (USD) Purpose / Notes
Wheelchairs 25 $12,500 Mobility support for children with severe disabilities. Approx. $500 per wheelchair.
Crutches & Walking Aids 50 $5,000 For children and youths with partial mobility needs. Approx. $100 per set.
Small Household Water Tanks 50 $12,500 To help families harvest and store water, reducing long walking distances. Approx. $250 per tank.
Skills Training Materials & Workshops 100 youths $20,000 Craft shoemaking, herbal jelly production, coffee preparation, tools, and consumables.
Community Awareness & Inclusion Sessions 20 sessions $10,000 Venue, materials, facilitator costs for awareness on disability inclusion.
Educational & Assistive Materials 100 children $15,000 Books, learning aids, sensory tools, braille materials (if needed).
Health & Nutrition Support 100 children $15,000 Nutritious food, hygiene kits, basic medical check-ups.
Construction / Small Infrastructure Water harvesting, ramps, cement $25,000 Minor construction to support accessibility and water collection.
Monitoring & Evaluation Project duration $10,000 Track progress, gather reports, ensure accountability.
Project Administration & Miscellaneous Staff, transport, communications $25,000 Coordination, logistics, transport for trainers and equipment, miscellaneous expenses.
Total: $150,000

• Each donation directly improves mobility, access to water, education, and skills for children and youths with disabilities.
• Small contributions can cover tangible items: e.g., $100 can buy a crutch, $250 a water tank, $500 a wheelchair, $200 skills training kit for one youth.
• Every dollar contributes to long-term self-sustainability and community inclusion, not just short-term aid.