Nyaka UK supports grandmothers and the children they care for in rural southwest Uganda. Home to over half a million people, most of whom live in extreme poverty, earning less than £1 a day mainly through subsistence. Supporting these vulnerable communities will ensure that they have continued access to the education, skills and opportunities they need to grow and prosper.
Our current fundraising campaign is focused on raising money to by water harvesting tanks for these grandmothers. £10 will buy one water harvesting tank.
It is estimated that 21.9 million people, in Uganda, do not have access to clean water. That is over half the population. It falls to the girls and women of the household to collect water, often from open water sources such as streams. They walk, often alone, up to 6km, usually as evening falls and it is getting dark. Sylvia, a grandmother aged 56, said that she spends up to 4 hours a day collecting water and that she fears what could happen to her, and her granddaughters who live with her, whilst doing this.
Collecting water puts girls and women at risk of sexual assault which can result in unwanted pregnancy, HIV/AIDS as well as pain and humiliation, all whilst undertaking a necessary household chore.
Nyaka UK is working to support grandmothers in southwest Uganda who on average care for 4 children to whom they may or may not be related. Collecting water is time consuming as well as dangerous and exhausting. By helping to purchase a water harvesting tank you are helping to reduce the risk of sexual assault on girls and women.