Help Displaced Women's Education in Uganda

Hi my name is Ava Marron. I work with Educators for Justice. We have partnered with the "Enabling Rural Opportunities" Network to help girls stay in school in Kitgum, Uganda. ERONet is a small but high impact women-centered community based organization that has been operating in post conflict Northern Uganda in the areas bordering South Sudan. ERONet works in the districts of Lamwo and Kitgum focusing on rural areas prone to conflict or in transition and recovering from conflicts. ERONet’s work encompasses local communities as well as displaced person camps.

ERONet evolved from Agoro Community Development Association (ACDA). ACDA was founded in 2001 by a group of women in Kitgum and Lamwo Districts who were widowed, displaced and disenfranchised by the ongoing civil war between the LRA and the Uganda Government. Many women had their land illegally confiscated by the government and corrupt individuals in power. ACDA sought to support these women and fought for the return of their land. ERONet continues the mission of supporting the founding group of women and remains focused on work that supports women and girls to promote gender equity. Since 2001 ACDA has completed multiple projects in the areas of property rights, child and enforced marriage, water and sanitation, girls' education, food security and women economic independence. ERONet expands the ACDA scope of work to address the significant ongoing impact on local residents of trans-border, ethnically driven conflict in South Sudan. This has resulted in the creation of a large community of displaced persons, many with ethnic and familial ties with area residents, who are living in the area that ERONet also works with.

This money will go to paying for school fees, books, uniforms, classroom supplies and women's sanitary products so that these women that have either been displaced due to conflict or interrupted schooling can stay in school and finish their education. Classes range from English, Science, Math, Gardening, Agriculture, Nutrition, Business and Sewing classes