By Nathan Eyagu
Soroti City, Uganda – Action of Love, a non-profit organization based in Soroti City, has launched a transformative initiative to support disabled children across the Teso sub-region by providing them with full education sponsorship.
This program aims to help children who excelled in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) transition to secondary school and complete their education, giving them a chance to realize their dreams.
As part of the sponsorship, the organization has provided beneficiaries with essential scholastic and personal materials, including books, school bags, mattresses, blankets, soap, sugar, sanitary pads for girls, and school metallic boxes. The selected students, drawn from various districts in Teso, will commence their secondary education in Mbale District on Monday.
The scholarship recipients have expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity. Atim Joyce Mary from Serere District, who scored 12 aggregates (D1) at St. Francis Primary School, shared her excitement and gratitude. “I am so grateful to Action of Love. This sponsorship is a blessing, and I will use it wisely to achieve my dream of becoming an accountant,” she said.
Similarly, Aluko Kana from Soroti District, who studied at Kelim Tubur Primary School and scored 25 aggregates (D2), was overwhelmed with joy. “I had little hope of joining secondary school, but now I can look forward to achieving my dream of becoming a nurse and helping people,” Kana said.
Parents of the beneficiaries expressed immense gratitude, with many noting that this was a rare and life-changing opportunity for their children.
Peter Enyau, a resident of Tubur Sub-county in Soroti District, shared his emotional journey of struggling to provide education for his child due to financial constraints. “This is a great day for me. In my entire family, no one has ever received such an opportunity. I have many children, and it has been difficult to provide them with quality education. My child has gone through a lot due to illness, but I never gave up. This sponsorship is a sign that her future is bright,” Enyau said.
Local leaders lauded Action of Love for its groundbreaking support for children with disabilities.
Soroti City Deputy Speaker, Frank Twenbaze, praised the NGO, stating that it was the first of its kind in the region to prioritize the education of children with disabilities. “This is a commendable effort. I urge parents to remain committed to this cause and support their children throughout their education journey,” Twenbaze said.
Soroti District Speaker, Stephen Olebe, who served as the chief guest, encouraged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity. “Disability is not inability. I am living proof that one can achieve great things despite challenges. These children have a bright future, and they must remain focused,” he emphasized.
Jefferson Kandi, CEO of Action of Love International, expressed his joy at seeing his childhood dream come to life—helping vulnerable children access education.
“As Action of Love, we believe in full sponsorship. We don’t just cover school fees; we provide everything needed for these children to succeed. Our decision to enroll them in a school in Mbale City is to expose them to a new environment and give them a fresh start,” Kandi explained.
He also revealed that the organization plans to extend support to orphans in the future. “As an orphan myself, I know the pain of lacking support. It has always been my dream to change lives,” he added.
So far, seven children have been selected for full sponsorship, with hopes of increasing the number as more parents become aware of the program. Kandi acknowledged the donors who made this initiative possible and encouraged continued support for children living with disabilities.
This initiative marks a significant step in empowering children with disabilities in the Teso sub-region, ensuring they receive quality education and a chance to build successful futures.
