Hunger and malnutrition are harsh daily realities for many of our pupils and their families in the slums of Karamoja and Namatala, Uganda. Extreme poverty means some go days without food, especially those in Karamoja. While debates about aid continue across the media, we quietly focus on the reality of providing for these desperate families throughout the year.

Through our feeding programme, we support our foster children, those pupils with health conditions (like sickle cell, TB and HIV), child-headed families, and the most vulnerable. Even during the Christmas break, we ensure nursery and primary pupils have regular meals and send food parcels home for the week our schools are closed. This vital support has improved children's health, increased their BMI, reduced absences, and helped them thrive in school.

Alongside our usual Christmas appeal, with your help we would love to raise additional funds to continue this work throughout the year. So…

This year, we have set an ambitious target of £10,000!

Approx £5,000 will cover a fabulous Christmas party for our poorest pupils and their communities in Karamoja. It will also allow us to provide bags of Christmas food for all our pupils across both areas (over 4,360 meals!). Any amount over £5,000 will have a lasting impact and go towards our feeding programme throughout the year. Your generosity makes this possible, and all contributions, big or small, will make a huge difference for families who might otherwise go without.

The bags of food we give each child at Christmas provide enough rice and beef for their whole family:

~ £5 buys one bag of food - enough for two meals for six people.

~ £10 buys two bags of food - enough for two meals for 12 people.

~ £20 buys four bags of food - enough for two meals for 24 people.

~ £30 buys six bags of food - enough for two meals for 36 people!

If you would prefer to donate by PayPal via our website, by cheque or by online banking, please visit www.childofhopeuganda.org/donate. Any additional funds raised beyond the needs for our Christmas party/Christmas food will provide year-round meals for children in need across our schools.

Please see our video below of last year's party and food distribution to see the smiles you made possible! More photos are in the gallery above.

Thank you so much for your support, and please help us smash our target by sharing our appeal!