Chicken Farming to Education - The Shule Foundation in Uganda

Shule Foundation is a charity in Uganda, where only 8% of school-age children are enrolled in education. Run by New York-based entrepreneur Jacqueline Wolfson and her on-the-ground team, Jacqueline was struck by the plight of street children on her many visits to Africa. By 2030, Africa is projected to be home to 41% of the world's youth population – a sobering thought and one that makes nurturing and educating Africa’s children that much more important.

Shule Foundation are a unique operation in the way in which their work focuses solely on young homeless boys. Why not girls you might ask? Their reasoning is solid and based in fact: a staggering 98% of homeless children are boys. By empowering boys through education and stability, Shule can offer a future where they are less likely to fall prey to the devasting consequences of being a child soldier or victim of sexual assault. 

Shule means ‘school’ in Swahili, and the Shule Foundation’s aim is to break the cycle of the street child and instead empower boys with educational, vocational and skill-building opportunities, allowing them to be free-thinkers, socially and financially aware, becoming role models for gender equality.

What this means on a day-to-day basis is that Shule operates a variety of programs and outreaches, including counselling, medical care, skills training and a transitional home. Shule’s drop-in centre plays a vital role where up to 40 street boys a day come for food, a shower, conversation and engage in pastimes like board games which allow them to regain a modicum of their childhood. There are some heart-warming success stories such as the 196 boys who have been reunited with their families and 94 children returned to school, but there are also daily wins like English, maths and computer lessons completed. 

With time, the street boys of Uganda can focus on vocations that will actively assist them in their future life. The Shule Computer School does exactly this, with classes that enhance the boys’ digital competency and equip them for the modern world. The Shule Centre for Eggsellence is another forward-thinking enterprise and ethical poultry model that allows the boys to learn how to run their own chicken-rearing business.  

Of course, like so many charities, Shule relies on its volunteer program, donations and individual sponsorship of a street child’s education. Given a chance, so many of these boys are ready to thrive, and become a valuable member of Ugandan society. 

Maybe you know a young man or woman who’d like to help in Uganda, learning vital life skills on African soil or perhaps you’re a mum of boys yourself, willing to fundraise in your local area.

DONATIONS: Join us and give a gift of education to a Ugandan boy, forming a lifetime bond that could continue onto university and beyond.