Creating safer communities through our Social Justice Project
- Anna Arevalo
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment, surrounded by care and protection. Yet for many children in Kampala’s slum communities, this right is not guaranteed. Our Social Justice Project, part of our wider Child Protection Programme, aims to create safer communities for children in the long term, whilst also ensuring children in need of emergency support receive immediate protection.
The challenge
In Uganda, 55% of children under the age of five are deprived of two or more of their fundamental rights, and 75% have experienced at least one form of abuse (Renzaho et al., 2018). Poverty, violence and food insecurity remain widespread in Kampala’s slums, placing children in these areas at a heightened risk of harm and neglect. In these communities, cases of abuse often go unreported, leaving children vulnerable to ongoing harm. It is common for children in conflict with the law to be punished and stigmatised, rather than being given the support and protection they need. Also, many children are forced to work in dangerous conditions to support their families to survive.
There is a clear need for urgent improvements in child protection. Without strong community-led safeguarding systems, these issues are overlooked. That’s why our Social Justice Project addresses both immediate child protection needs and the root causes that allow abuse and neglect to persist.
Our approach
Our Social Justice Project covers the following:
Emergency response for children in imminent danger across 10 slum communities
Child-inclusive mediation and counselling
Advocacy for children in conflict with the law
Practical support for families, including food assistance, vocational training and income generation
In order to build lasting safeguarding structures, we train local volunteers from Kampala’s slum communities as safeguarding officers. This approach ensures that protection comes from within the communities, making it both effective and sustainable. As well as supporting families through mediation, counselling, and income generation, our safeguarding officers lead awareness sessions on recognising and reporting abuse, and work alongside local authorities to establish clear reporting pathways.
So far in 2025, we have successfully trained 35 community safeguarding officers from 10 communities.
Our impact
The Social Justice Project has already had a significant impact. In the short term, our community safeguarding officers have protected children in need of urgent care, offered counselling to families, and advocated for children in conflict with the law.
So far in 2025 …
31 child protection cases have been responded to
40 social justice cases have been supported
24 children have been resettled following court hearings
32 families have received counselling
By equipping community volunteers to lead on safeguarding, we are helping to build long term resilience. Parents and guardians are learning to recognise abuse, children are finding safe places to ask for help, and community members are uniting to protect children.
Richard*, age 13 shared:
“I appreciate Kids Club Kampala for rescuing me from my abusive stepmother. Thanks to KCK I was reunited with my grandmother, and now live a happy life without any threats.”
*Name has been changed
By creating safer communities, we are not only protecting children today but also shaping a future where children can grow up free from violence and fear, with the chance to reach their full potential. Our Social Justice Project is not just about responding to crises, but also about building a culture where children’s rights are respected, and their voices are heard. When communities are empowered, change becomes lasting and real.
Be a part of this change by becoming a regular giver. Regular donations enable us to plan ahead, respond to local needs, and invest in long-term solutions. By giving monthly, you’re not just funding a project - you’re helping to strengthen community-led safeguarding for the next generation.
Reference:
Comments