Ronald Eligu, executive director of the Touch the Slum Charity Foundation, is transforming the lives of teen mothers and vulnerable youth in the slums of Kampala through targeted programs that promote empowerment, education and sustainable development.
Operating across three divisions of Kampala, the foundation reaches youth from several informal settlements, including Banda, Kamwokya, Katwe, Kisenyi, Kibuli, Kagugube, Mbuya and Mutungo.
Under the Safe and Inclusive Cities project funded by Plan International, the foundation has worked for over a year to empower young people with accurate information on sexual and reproductive health, decision-making and policy advocacy.
“We ask: as a teen mother, how do you plan your life? We encourage young women to embrace family planning and delay their second pregnancy. We understand the challenges they face, and we aim to equip them with tools to overcome them.” Eligu explains.
The foundation also emphasizes the importance of peer influence, noting that they teach them how to choose good friends, avoid gang groups, and stay safe in the city.
“The rise in anti-social activities and drug abuse among youth is alarming. Our work is focused on prevention through education, mentorship and support.” Eligu said.
Through community-based groups of 25 members, youth meet regularly to discuss healthy living and mental wellness, Drug abuse prevention, positive friendships and relationships and innovation and creativity.
The Youth with Healthy Minds workshops have become a cornerstone of the foundation’s work, building resilience and fostering responsible decision-making. Many of the youth we work with have limited access to formal education. School fees are unaffordable for most slum families. As a result, many girls drop out, fall into early relationships, and end up in a cycle of teenage pregnancy and poverty,” he said.
To break this cycle, the foundation helps young people form self-help groups that evolve into savings groups or business cooperatives.
“It starts with a change in mindset. From there, we support them to start small businesses with mentorship and startup capital. We have seen a group of young women from Kibuli who began as a self- help group and now run a thriving bakery. Another group in Banda has formed a Sacco. These examples prove that even with limited education, young people can succeed.” he said.
“The foundation ensures that the youth take ownership of their journey, conducting market research, identify viable business ideas like baking and we support them with the necessary tools and materials,” he added. Touch the Slum also works with groups of young fathers and male champions, including boda boda operators, to reduce gender-based violence and promote shared responsibility.
During a recent event, Lt Col Dr Edward Masembe, commissioner for Community Health, ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of health education: “We encourage young people to get tested for HIV and avoid early pregnancies. The ministry is always here to support young mothers, even in cases of unintended pregnancies.”
He also pledged Shs 1 million per Sacco formed in Kampala’s slums to support sustainability and expansion.
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