Three Ways We Transform Lives
We believe every child deserves a chance – whether in the classroom, in a safe home, or learning a skill that lasts a lifetime. Here is how we make that happen.
Education Support Program
Keep a Child in School. Change a Nation.
The Problem:
In Uganda, while primary education is officially “free,” hidden costs keep millions of children out of class. A uniform costs money. Textbooks cost money. Meals cost money. Sanitary pads cost money. For a family living on less than $1 a day, these are impossible choices.
Many children are enrolled but constantly sent home for fees. Others never enroll at all. The result is a cycle of poverty that repeats from one generation to the next.
What We Do:
RiseBridge identifies vulnerable children – orphans, children with disabilities, and those from extremely poor households – and provides everything they need to stay in school.
We Provide:
- School fees and tuition
- School uniforms
- Scholastic materials (books, pens, bags, notebooks)
- Sanitary pads for girls
- Health equipment and basic medical support
- Mentorship and academic guidance
Who We Serve:
- Orphans and abandoned children
- Children with disabilities
- Children from extremely low-income families
- Children at risk of dropping out
- Girls at risk of missing school due to lack of sanitary pads
Our Impact So Far:
- 1,247 children kept in school
- 3,892 uniforms distributed
- 2,156 sanitary pad packs distributed
- 94% promotion rate to next class
- 0% dropout rate among our supported children
Cost Breakdown (Transparency):
| Item | Cost (UGX) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| School uniform | 50,000 | $13 |
| Scholastic materials (per term) | 30,000 | $8 |
| Sanitary pads (3 months) | 15,000 | $4 |
| Termly tuition (primary school) | 100,000 | $27 |
| Termly tuition (secondary school) | 250,000 | $67 |
| Full year support (primary) | 400,000 | $108 |
| Full year support (secondary) | 900,000 | $243 |
Success Story:
“Before RiseBridge, I was sent home three times in one term because my mother could not pay my fees. I thought I would never finish primary school. Then RiseBridge came. They paid my fees. They gave me a uniform. They told me I mattered. Today, I am in Primary 7. I want to become a nurse.”
– Sarah, 14 years old
Your Donation Makes a Difference:
- $13 buys a uniform for one child
- $27 pays primary school fees for one term
- $67 pays secondary school fees for one term
- $108 keeps a primary child in school for one full year
RiseBridge Children’s Home
A Home During Holidays. Hope for Life.
The Problem:
Imagine being a child. School is your safest place. There is food there. There are adults who care. But when the term ends, the gates close. Where do you go?
For orphaned, abandoned, and neglected children, holidays are not a break. They are a nightmare. Some sleep on the streets. Some go to unsafe homes where they are abused. Some are sent to work in quarries, on farms, or as domestic servants. Some simply go hungry.
These children return to school after holidays exhausted, malnourished, traumatized, and unable to learn. Many never return at all.
What We Do:
RiseBridge Children’s Home was created to change that. During school holidays, we provide a safe, loving home where children can rest, heal, and simply be children.
We Provide:
- A safe, secure home with caring staff
- Three nutritious meals every day
- A clean bed with blankets and bedding
- Clothes and shoes
- Medical care when needed
- Emotional support and counseling
- Supervised play, reading, and activities
- A sense of belonging and love
Who We Serve:
- Orphans with no living parents
- Abandoned children
- Children from unsafe home environments
- Children who would otherwise sleep on the streets
- Children who have experienced trauma or abuse
Our Impact So Far:
- 156 children given a safe home during holidays
- 12,480 meals served
- 312 nights of shelter provided per child
- 45 children received medical care
- 100% of children report feeling safe and cared for
Current Capacity vs. Need:
- Current capacity: 25 children per holiday
- Children on waiting list: 40 children
- Gap to fill: 15 more beds needed
What Your Donation Provides:
| Item | Cost (UGX) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| One meal | 3,700 | $1 |
| One week of meals | 25,900 | $7 |
| One month of meals | 111,000 | $30 |
| A bed and mattress | 185,000 | $50 |
| Blankets and bedding | 74,000 | $20 |
| Full holiday support for one child | 370,000 | $100 |
Success Story:
“When school closes, other children go home to their parents. I used to go to the street. I slept in a market stall. I ate what I could find. Now I come to RiseBridge Children’s Home. There is a bed. There is food. There are people who say ‘good morning’ and ask how I feel. I am not afraid of holidays anymore.”
– Grace, 12 years old
Your Donation Makes a Difference:
- $1 provides a meal for a child today
- $30 feeds a child for one month
- $50 gives a child a bed to sleep in
- $100 supports a child through an entire holiday
Skilling for Livelihood Program
Not a Failure. A Different Kind of Genius.
The Problem:
Uganda’s education system celebrates exam-passers. It promotes those who score high marks and pushes them toward university. But what about the child who struggles with math but has magic hands for carpentry? What about the teenager who dropped out because of pregnancy but can sew beautiful clothes? What about the young person who failed Senior 4 but has a natural gift for fixing phones?
Society calls them failures. We call them future entrepreneurs.
Thousands of youth drop out of school each year. They are pushed to the margins – begging on streets, doing casual labor for less than $1 a day, or turning to crime and prostitution for survival. But they are not hopeless. They just need a second chance to explore a different path.
What We Do:
RiseBridge identifies out-of-school youth and connects them to vocational training centers where they learn practical, income-generating skills. We don’t just teach skills. We mentor, support, and help them launch their own small businesses.
Skills We Support:
- Tailoring and Fashion Design
- Hairdressing and Makeup
- Bakery and Confectionery
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Electronics Repair (phones, radios, TVs)
- Welding and Metal Fabrication
- Shoe Making and Repair
- Painting and Decorating
Who We Serve:
- Out-of-school youth (ages 15-25)
- School leavers who failed exams
- Teenage mothers
- Orphans with no family support
- Youth living on the streets
- Young people with disabilities
- Anyone who wants to learn but cannot afford training
Our Impact So Far:
- 423 youth trained in vocational skills
- 312 youth currently employed or self-employed
- 74% employment rate after training
- 28 youth have started their own small businesses
- 15 youth now training others (multiplier effect)
Skills Trained (Breakdown):
| Skill | Number Trained |
|---|---|
| Tailoring & Fashion Design | 156 |
| Hairdressing & Makeup | 89 |
| Bakery & Confectionery | 67 |
| Carpentry | 56 |
| Electronics Repair | 55 |
Average Income After Training:
- Before training: $0 – $20 per month (casual labor or begging)
- After training: $50 – $150 per month (skilled work)
- Income increase: 150% – 400%
Cost Breakdown:
| Item | Cost (UGX) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-month short course (one skill) | 185,000 | $50 |
| 6-month comprehensive training | 370,000 | $100 |
| 1-year advanced training | 740,000 | $200 |
| Startup toolkit (sewing machine, tools, etc.) | 370,000 – 740,000 | $100 – $200 |
Success Story:
“I failed my Senior 4 exams. My family was ashamed. Neighbors laughed. I thought my life was over. Then RiseBridge found me. They said, ‘You are not a failure. You just need a different path.’ They paid for me to learn tailoring. Today, I have my own small shop. I sew school uniforms, wedding gowns, and mending. I earn $120 a month. I employ one other young person. I am not a failure. I am a businessman.”
– James, 19 years old
Your Donation Makes a Difference:
- $50 trains a youth in a short course (one skill)
- $100 provides 6 months of comprehensive training
- $200 provides one year of advanced training
- $100 – $200 provides a startup toolkit (sewing machine, carpentry tools, etc.)
Our Future Plans
What We Are Building Next
RiseBridge Home International is not resting. We have big dreams to serve even more children and youth. Here is what we are working toward.
Plan 1: Construct a Skilling Center
We are raising funds to build a dedicated, well-controlled training facility for our Skilling for Livelihood Program. This center will allow us to train more youth, in more skills, at a lower cost.
What it will include:
- Tailoring workshop with sewing machines
- Hairdressing and makeup training room
- Bakery with commercial ovens
- Carpentry workshop with tools
- Electronics repair lab
- Classroom space for theory lessons
- Dormitory for students from far districts
Cost estimate: $100,000
Progress so far: 15% funded
Plan 2: Construct a Primary and Secondary School
We dream of having our own school where children in our Education Support Program can attend for free – no hidden costs, no being sent home for fees, no long walks to distant schools.
What it will include:
- Classrooms for Primary 1-7
- Classrooms for Senior 1-4
- Library and computer lab
- Playground and sports field
- Kitchen and feeding program
- Staff housing
Cost estimate: $250,000
Progress so far: 0% (fundraising phase)
Plan 3: Expand the Children’s Home
Our current Children’s Home can only accommodate 25 children per holiday. We need to expand to serve the 40 children currently on our waiting list.
What we need:
- More beds and mattresses
- Larger kitchen and dining area
- Additional sleeping rooms
- Improved bathroom facilities
- Safe play area
Cost estimate: $25,000
Progress so far: 35% funded
Plan 4: Establish a Farm
We want to establish a small farm where children can learn traditional domestic work during holidays. The farm will also act as a source of food for the Children’s Home – fresh vegetables, eggs, and possibly milk.
What it will include:
- Vegetable garden
- Chicken coop
- Goat rearing
- Training on sustainable agriculture
Cost estimate: $15,000
Progress so far: 0% (fundraising phase)
Compare Our Programs
| Feature | Education Support | Children’s Home | Skilling Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it serves | School-going children | Orphaned/abandoned children | Out-of-school youth |
| When it happens | During school terms | During school holidays | Year-round |
| Duration | Ongoing support | Each holiday period | 3-12 months |
| Key need | Fees, uniforms, books | Beds, meals, shelter | Training fees, tools |
| Cost per beneficiary | $108/year (primary) | $100/holiday | $100 for 6 months |
| Donation impact | Child stays in school | Child has safe home | Youth earns income |
Which Program Speaks to Your Heart?
I want to keep a child in school → [Donate to Education Program]
I want to give a child a safe home → [Donate to Children’s Home]
I want to train a youth in a skill → [Donate to Skilling Program]
I want to support all three programs → [Donate to General Fund]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the programs?
Yes. We welcome donors and supporters to visit our projects. Please contact us in advance to arrange a visit.
How do you select beneficiaries?
We work with local leaders, schools, and community members to identify the most vulnerable children and youth. Every beneficiary goes through a verification process.
Do you sponsor individual children?
Yes. You can sponsor a specific child through our Education Support Program or Children’s Home. You will receive updates and letters from your sponsored child.
Can I donate items instead of money?
Yes. We accept uniforms, books, pens, sanitary pads, food, clothes, bedding, and other supplies. Contact us to arrange delivery.
Are my donations tax-deductible?
Yes. We provide receipts for all donations.
How much of my donation goes to programs?
85% of every dollar goes directly to our programs. 10% covers administration. 5% supports fundraising.
Still Have Questions?
We are here to help.
Email: risebridgeinternational@gmail.com