Reflections from East Africa
- Olivia Barker White
- Dec 3
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
I have just returned from two weeks visiting our partners in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The trip involved seven flights, two train journeys, two motorbike rides, nine taxis, countless car journeys, and five different accommodations! It was busy and exhausting at times, but every moment was worth it. It was incredibly special to visit our programmes, see the impact of our work first-hand, hear stories from children and families whose lives have been changed, and finally meet many of our team members in person, after years of only seeing each other on Zoom.
Spending time with our teams on the ground reminded me just how powerful our work truly is. We are focused on protecting children in crisis, strengthening families, and giving young people the chance to learn, grow, and dream again. The impact is real, deep, and lasting. It is all driven by the most dedicated, compassionate staff, who show up every single day for children in vulnerable positions.
Two things stood out above everything else: the unwavering dedication of our local teams, who work tirelessly, often in very challenging conditions, to keep children safe, and the tangible difference our programmes make. Whether it was seeing a child reunited with their family through the Ewafe Project, watching our team run safe play sessions in Kampala, hearing testimonials from parents involved in our Family Strengthening Programme, meeting passionate climate-focused community volunteers in Kenya, or speaking to students in Tanzania whose lives have been transformed by sponsorship, I was reminded again and again why this work matters.
However, one thing struck me deeply: the need is growing faster than the resources available to meet it. Across the region, I heard heartbreaking stories of families unable to access medical care, children losing access to education, people going without HIV treatment because ARVs were unavailable, and growing levels of malnutrition and uncertainty about the future. These are the devastating consequences of international aid cuts. In Kenya, families are struggling to access HIV support, meanwhile in Uganda, our Ewafe Project is being overwhelmed with referrals as other aid-funded organisations have been forced to close.
I also saw the damaging impact of sand mining on local land and livelihoods in Kenya. In Uganda, I saw heavy rains leave entire communities flooded, with homes washed away, belongings destroyed, and families forced to sleep in temporary shelters or overcrowded rooms. The effects of climate change in East Africa are no longer predictions; they are daily realities.
It was impossible to ignore that poverty remains one of the biggest risks to children’s safety and wellbeing. When families are under extreme strain, children suffer first and most.
Yet, I also saw so much hope. Young leaders stepping up, women running community organisations, children who believe in their futures. Kids Club Kampala exists to support children and families not out of charity, but out of justice. This trip reminded me that even at such a challenging time, there is still so much worth fighting for.
Travelling across three countries gave me clarity I didn’t know I needed. It reminded me that local leadership isn’t the future – it’s the present, and Kids Club Kampala must continue championing it. Our work is stronger when we listen first, collaborate often, and recognise that communities are the real experts.
Despite the challenges, I left East Africa feeling hopeful, because our work genuinely changes lives. However, we cannot do it alone. With your support, we can reunite more children with loving families, provide emergency shelter and care for children in crisis, support parents with skills, keep more children in school, and strengthen our local teams. Every penny helps us reach more children and families.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge
I’m excited to share that Kids Club Kampala is currently taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. This means for one week only, your donation will be doubled at no extra cost to you. For example, £75 becomes £150, which could provide 15 girls with a 6-month supply of period products. £125 becomes £250, enough to provide emergency care packages for 5 children admitted to our Ewafe home.
This is a crucial opportunity to ensure we can continue responding to emergencies, supporting vulnerable families, and protecting children at a time when the need is greater than ever.
Donate by midday on Tuesday 9th December and make twice the impact. Thank you for standing with us, and with the children and families who deserve safety, stability, and hope for the future.
Note: The Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign has now ended, and donations will no longer be doubled. However, all contributions are appreciated. Thank you for reading!
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