Absa Bank Uganda has announced that it raised a total of Shs200 million ($55,000) from the inaugural Absa KH3 7 Hills Run, which took place on May 28, 2023. The 21km run, organized in partnership with the Kampala Hash House Harriers, aimed to support the cause of keeping the girl-child in school.
Mumba Kalifungwa, Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda, emphasized the bank’s commitment to being a force for good in the community. She stated, We believe that education is a right that every child should have access to. In the spirit of accountability, we are pleased to announce the allocation of funds through partners whose work is aligned with the cause of keeping the girl-child in school.
A total of Shs30 million will be allocated to existing initiatives by Wakisa Ministries, which focuses on skilling and reintegrating young mothers into schools. Another Shs30 million will go to Integrated Efforts for Youth & Women Empowerment (IEYAWE) for their Girl-Child Support Program, which aims to provide teenage mothers with soft skills to care for their babies and protect them from exploitation.
The Association for Rehabilitation and Re-orientation of Women for Development (TERREWODE) will receive Shs30 million, which will be directed towards vocational skilling and reintegrating young mothers into schools. Additionally, Shs90 million will be channeled through World Vision Uganda to support water, hygiene, and sanitation initiatives (WASH) in Northern Uganda, specifically targeting proper menstrual hygiene management for girls.
Kalifungwa expressed her gratitude to the public and partners for their support towards this noble cause. She noted, It was quite humbling to witness the overwhelming positive response that this activity received from the public. We registered 2,500 runners, both from individual and corporate organizations.
The initiative comes at a crucial time as recent data shows that only 53% of Ugandan girls aged 6-12 complete the required seven years of primary education, and only 22.5% of female Ugandans enroll in secondary education. Various obstacles such as poverty, cultural barriers, early marriages, unwanted pregnancies, and difficulties in managing menstrual hygiene contribute to these low enrollment rates.
The Absa KH3 7 Hills Run complements other initiatives established by the Kampala Hash House Harriers, a renowned club of runners dedicated to promoting fitness and community solidarity.
By organizing this run and allocating funds to organizations working towards keeping the girl-child in school, Absa Bank Uganda is making a significant contribution to addressing societal challenges and empowering young girls in Uganda. The bank’s commitment to social causes highlights its dedication to creating a positive impact and improving the lives of individuals in the communities it serves.
Overall, the inaugural Absa KH3 7 Hills Run was a resounding success, both in terms of participant engagement and the funds raised. With the allocated funds reaching organizations that actively tackle barriers to education for young girls, there is hope for a brighter future where more Ugandan girls can access quality education and achieve their full potential.
