CHAIN Foundation
MUKUNO, UGANDA
Martin Nkoyoyo Primary School
The CHAIN Foundation runs several programs to enrich students, orphanage residents, and the surrounding community.
Education
The Martin Nkoyoyo Inclusive School at the CHAIN Foundation is Uganda’s first school to integrate visually impaired and sighted children. The school serves both children from the orphanage and over 100 at-risk students from nearby communities. In 2006, the CHAIN Foundation launched a program specifically to assist visually impaired children.
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Uganda has an estimated 400,000 children who are blind or have other vision impairments, most of which result from preventable diseases. These children are often stigmatized, isolated, and perceived as a burden on their families. Sadly, nearly 80% of them are denied access to education.
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The CHAIN Foundation’s specialized education program offers these children an inclusive learning environment, allowing them to interact with sighted peers. In addition to the standard curriculum, visually impaired students receive training in Braille, musical instruments, and job skills, empowering them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Community Outreach
The foundation assists many local families with income-generating activities such as poultry raising, pig farming, fish farming, local herb propagation, and vegetable growing. The foundation carries out a community HIV/AIDS awareness campaign that includes education, a behavioral change program, and post-test support groups. Parents receive education on the importance of immunizing children to prevent diseases and on other child development and healthcare issues.
Orphanage
The orphanage is home to more than 100 orphans and other at-risk children, providing a loving, Christian environment to meet their physical, educational, medical, and spiritual needs. There are currently over 40 blind residents at CHAIN. Future expansion will create space for more than 100 blind or deaf children.
Farming/Gardening
CHAIN Foundation has increased the volume of crops grown and harvested over the past several years. Crops such as maize, sweet potatoes, varieties of peppers, and ground nuts are a few examples. In addition to the crops, farm animals and a poultry house are allowing them to become close to being self-sustaining. Children at the orphanage do not miss out on the familiar sustenance farming culture of the surrounding community. CHAIN is close to being self-sufficient, with its acreage of maize, peppers, sweet potatoes, and other crops along with many animals.