Environmental Women in Action for Development, EWAD (previously the Entebbe Women’s Association, EWA), is a non-governmental organization based in Entebbe, Uganda, that provides support to impoverished local communities irrespective of religious, political, gender and racial affiliations.
"MISSION“ To help underprivileged women, children and youth overcome poverty and vulnerability through education and life skills training, allowing them to become community leaders and role models for future generations. We reach out to work and walk alongside communities, schools, local churches, and other community based institutions, transforming lives through development and education.
Since 2002, over 400 orphans and other vulnerable children have been given access to an education through EWAD’s Child Sponsorship Program. Beginning in 2006, dozens of environmental and women’s rights projects have been implemented through EWAD’s Integrated Community Environmental Conservation Projects (ICE-COP). On-going projects include the construction of an Orphanage Home that will house up to 50 children during the school holidays. Recently, EWAD expanded to include a second-hand Charity Shop, with all proceeds going towards the Child Sponsorship program.
CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM Over the past 7 years, more than 400 children have had the opportunity to obtain an education thanks to EWAD’s Child Sponsorship Program. Currently more than one hundred children are being supported in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide, irrespective of sex, age and social status. EWA solicits for funds from individuals and organizations, and places the children in boarding and day schools. Various individuals from Sweden, Norway, Canada, Germany, Australia, and UK are generously supporting this cause. Many children are on standby for assistance. With Support of USAID, the project started in 2004 to support children whose parents died of HIV/AIDS with scholastic materials and vocational skills training, The project was originally implemented in four sub-counties in Rukungiri District and helped to instill hope among 120 orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs) in primary schools, and provide 60 out of school OVCs with vocational training. This preliminary short-term project was very successful, motivating EWAD to fund raise long-term sponsorship for the children’s education. An orphanage home is currently under contruction in Entebbe to house the orphans during school holidays. These children have no where else to go, and currently live at the Early Learning School and other institutions year-round. (Check out the “Tree planting at the Orphanage home” news story). For information on how you can help contribute to the Child Sponsorship Program or the orphanage home, please see our Donate or Contact page.
OBJECTIVES Key strategic objectives: 1. To improve opportunities for economic and social development of underprivileged communities using environmentally sustainable programs including; tree planting, fish pond creation, fish kiln construction, sand mine land reclamation and small scale farming; 2. To support children and youth through accessible and affordable adolescent/child friendly services such as free admittance to the Early Learning School to reduce vulnerability to exploitation and abuse; 3. To ensure a continuum of support to children and families suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS; 4. To support skills development that enables women and youth to use creativity and innovation to earn sustainable incomes resulting in improved living conditions; 5. To ensure proper community management of environmental resources, and raising public awareness of the link between our environment, poverty and development.