Our Programs
Action in Africa is not just for kids.
Our doors are open to all as we strive to empower the entire community from children to adults through The Center, a hub for learning, activities, and support.
Operating community centers in Uganda
You can help break Uganda’s generational cycle of poverty through the gift of education.
For Uganda’s Children
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To meet the needs of our children with disabilities, this program provides personalized learning experiences, individualized therapy, and general aid for children with special needs. Our goal is to help them reach their full potential and experience the feeling of belonging; thereby improving their overall quality of life.
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The distance to the nearest public school is too far for Nakuwadde children to attend. In partnership with the area’s private primary schools, Action in Africa supports a well-rounded education for hundreds of 6- to 12-year-olds. During the course of the school term, primary students attend creative learning sessions, each designed from a combination of the national curriculum syllabus and the theater arts, at The Center. This program also includes a vital nutrition intervention program where students are provided with hot breakfast at the start of the school day. This foundational program is intended to lay the groundwork for success in and out of the classroom.
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At about the age of 12, Ugandan students need to pass a national exam in order to continue their education. To support this endeavor, The Center opens its doors to students the year leading up to their exams, allowing them to prepare with practice tests.
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In an under-resourced area, we ensure that every child in the community gets to start and end their day without the distraction of hunger. At partner schools, our scholarship students have the option of grabbing a cup of porridge before class, and in the afternoons, staff at The Center hand out another round to anyone that requests it. In 2023, we served over 30,000 cups of porridge.
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This program, held during school vacations, aims to keep students active and engaged throughout the holiday break. Running from morning to afternoon, Monday to Friday, it offers a blend of educational activities, including debates and spelling bees, academic sessions, and physical and wellness activities like yoga, Zumba, dance, drama, and music. The overarching objective is to create a stimulating and enjoyable environment while providing opportunities for learners to develop their skills and showcase their talents.
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The Center supports far more than just basic needs. This program is a holistic, gender-inclusive program for Nakuwadde children. There are few places in Uganda where children can go to learn to play the ukulele, take a yoga class, or learn how to read for free - AIA is that place. It takes place every afternoon Monday through Friday, with more than 100 children attending every day. The goal of this program is to create a space for children to have access to a healthy meal and to provide healthy educational stimulation to children who may not be in school during the day. In addition to providing a safe environment, children experience true friendships through laughter and play, forming integral building blocks for the community’s future.
For Uganda’s Youth
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To date, this program has supported 170 secondary students from Senior One to Senior Six (the Ugandan equivalent to high school) by providing tuition assistance and required school supplies. Thirty incoming Senior One students from the community are awarded scholarships each year, and their acceptance is dependent on their participation at The Center and their performance on the nationally administered Primary Leaving Exam at the end of primary school. This program ensures that these students have access to quality education free from the financial burdens that would otherwise keep them out of the classroom.
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This 6-month internship program at AIA’s Center is designed for five graduating Senior Six students from Action in Africa's Secondary Scholarship program. Interns engage in valuable skill-building activities to give them a head start prior to beginning their university courses by shadowing experienced staff, assisting with program and community work, and attending tailored workshops to impart the extra knowledge and skills to ensure that they will thrive both academically and professionally.
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Annually, we grant five exceptional graduates of our Secondary Scholarship Program a prestigious full-ride scholarship, aptly named the University Scholarship Program, which allows them to attend the accredited university of their choice. This comprehensive scholarship not only covers their tuition throughout their academic journey but also includes a monthly stipend to support their living expenses. Additionally, we equip each student with a reliable laptop to ensure consistent access to essential digital tools for their academic success.
For Uganda’s Adults
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Action in Africa’s Women-to-Women program is a holistic initiative that provides women of the community with a safe space where they can promote healing through acceptance, learning, and deep sharing. It is also a place where the women have free access to educational opportunities designed to empower them with skills they can use in every aspect of their lives. Attended by as many as 60 women every week, it includes a diverse array of free classes and educational opportunities..
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Teacher training is a vital program offered at The Center, where our education team offers continuing education workshops for community teachers to provide them with the support, creative tools, and resources needed to be effective educators. These weekly sessions show teachers how to steer away from the traditional Ugandan classroom experience of rote memorization, and toward a science-backed approach of a kinesthetic, experiential creative arts curriculum.
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For up to 12 hours a week, adult learners of all skill levels come to The Center for Adult English Classes with Teacher Juliana. These classes are designed to empower adults in the community with the English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills that are necessary for effective communication in both personal and professional settings.
For Everyone in the Community
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This bi-annual program at The Center provides community-wide health care services and public health education to the people of Nakuwadde and the surrounding area. In partnership with Alive Medical Services, AIA provides medical screenings, vaccinations, and medical treatments to promote wellness and prevent disease. The goal of this program is to improve access to healthcare and raise awareness about health issues amongst the community members.
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Action In Africa’s community library is the first — and only — library in the village. Students and community members have access to thousands of books they can enjoy at any given time. This library also provides textbooks and curriculum resources for our Primary Partnership Program, which teachers regularly utilize for lesson planning.