Imara-Uganda Education Fund

Imara-Uganda Education Fund is a United Kingdom-based registered charity (Charity number 1142239) dedicated to supporting education for disadvantaged and disabled children in northern Uganda. Founded in 2011, the charity responds to the urgent educational needs in a region recovering from decades of civil war, displacement, and trauma.

Background and Purpose

Northern Uganda suffered significantly from over 20 years of civil conflict, which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, displacement of approximately one million people, and the abduction of around 60,000 children who were forced into becoming child soldiers. Many children were orphaned, creating a critical need for educational and social support. Imara-Uganda Education Fund was established to address these challenges by awarding scholarships to some of the most vulnerable children, particularly orphans and those with disabilities such as visual impairment[1][3].

Activities

The charity primarily provides full scholarships for children and young people to attend schools, including specialized support for disabled pupils. As of the latest reports, Imara-Uganda Education Fund supports 21 children and young people, including 7 disabled students, across primary, secondary, vocational, and tertiary education levels[2][3].

In addition to scholarships, the organisation raises funds to enhance educational facilities and resources in Ugandan schools. Notably, it has supported the renovation of the library at Ngetta Girls Primary School, which serves many visually impaired children who learn alongside local pupils using Braille. The charity has supplied Braille books, Bibles, and 12 Braille machines to enhance learning[3].

A major ongoing project is the development of a secondary school for the blind and other learners in the Lira area, adjacent to an existing primary school for visually impaired students. The first phase of this secondary school opened in February 2024. Current fundraising efforts focus on building additional facilities such as a library, Braille library, computer rooms, and dormitory accommodation for girls[1][2].

Ethos

Rooted in a Christian ethos, Imara-Uganda Education Fund is driven by a commitment to helping impoverished children overcome adversity through education. The charity takes pride in witnessing the academic and personal successes of its scholars, including graduates pursuing careers in engineering, midwifery, finance, medicine, nursing, and teaching[3].

Governance and Financials

The charity is governed by a board of five trustees and supported by two volunteers. It does not have any paid trustees or trading subsidiaries, and its reporting to the UK Charity Commission is up to date[2]. For the financial year ending March 31, 2024, the charity reported a total income of £70,489 and expenditure of £188,945, reflecting significant investment in its educational projects and scholarships[2].

Scope and Impact

Operating exclusively in Uganda, the charity focuses on children and young people, especially those with disabilities and from marginalized communities. It implements its mission through grant-making to individuals and organisations, provision of educational facilities, and direct services[4].

By addressing both the financial and infrastructural barriers to education in northern Uganda, Imara-Uganda Education Fund plays a vital role in transforming the lives of vulnerable children, enabling them to pursue hopeful futures despite the region's challenging history.

[1] https://www.imara-ugandaeducationfund.org [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1142239&subid=0 [3] https://www.imara-ugandaeducationfund.org/about-us.php [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5018214/what-who-how-where [5] https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/15559