Protecting Children, Strengthening Futures Through Access to Education

Supporting Flood-Affected Children and Families in Gatumba

Recurrent flooding in Gatumba has disrupted the lives of vulnerable children and families, affecting access to essential education, hygiene, and protection resources. In response, Walking in Grace for Lifelong Impact (WiGLI) implemented a targeted assistance intervention to help flood-affected children remain connected to education while strengthening family and community resilience.

Reaching Children with Essential Support

The intervention initially targeted 150 vulnerable children. WiGLI ultimately reached 155 children from 155 families, achieving 103.3% of the target.

Each child received:

5 exercise copybooks
4 pens
1 pair of plastic shoes
3 bars of soap

In addition, 55 adolescent girls received sanitary pads, helping address menstrual hygiene needs and reduce barriers that can affect girls’ participation in education.

Strengthening Families Through Awareness

The intervention went beyond the distribution of essential supplies. Eleven WiGLI staff members conducted sensitization sessions involving 515 family members and 4 local authority representatives.

The sessions addressed key issues affecting children’s well-being and resilience, including:

Hygiene and disease prevention
Continuity of education during and after emergencies
Child protection
Psychosocial well-being
Climate-related risks
Environmental protection

This integrated approach recognizes that protecting children’s education during a crisis requires more than school materials. Children need supportive families, safe environments, access to hygiene resources, and systems that identify and respond to their evolving needs.