Resilient and Empowered Adolescents through Social and Emotional Learning (REASEL)

The Problem:

Mental health challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent among schoolchildren in Uganda. A recent study revealed that 17.6% of Ugandan schoolchildren experience mental health issues, including anxiety and depression (New Vision, 2025). These emotional struggles significantly impact their ability to engage with education, leading to lower academic performance and higher dropout rates. Without proper emotional support, many adolescents are unable to fully engage in their learning, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality.

Our Solution:

Following our formative evaluation of the youth program, we developed the Building Resilient Minds Toolkit to guide the REASEL program, which targets all students in their first and second years of secondary school. This program focuses on building essential skills such as:

1. Self-awareness (Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy & Emotional Awareness)
2. Self-management (Emotional Regulation, Delayed Gratification & Frustration Tolerance)
3. Social awareness (Perspective Taking, Empathy, Prosocial Behaviour)
4. Relationship skills (Active Listening, Assertiveness & Conflict Management)
5. Responsible decision-making (Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking and Responsibility)
6. Determination (Achievement Striving, Perseverance & Stress Management)

By equipping adolescents with these skills, we empower them to navigate life’s challenges, improve their academic performance, and develop resilience for their future.

Our Goal:

We aim to scale the REASEL program to 250 secondary schools across multiple districts, impacting over 100,000 youth in schools by 2027. This program will provide students with the emotional and social tools they need to succeed academically and personally, laying the foundation for brighter futures.

Call to Action

Join us in empowering the next generation of leaders.

Your support can help us:

1. Deliver SEL-focused curricula and materials to 100,000 adolescents in secondary schools.
2. Train 2,500 teachers and 500 school leaders in SEL methods and mentorship.
3. Create safe spaces for 100,000 students to explore and manage their emotions through engaging activities.
4. Engage 50,000 parents and caregivers in supporting their children’s emotional and academic development.

Donate Now 

Every contribution brings us closer to our goal of transforming the lives of thousands of youth. Your donation will help provide adolescents with the tools to build resilience, succeed in school, and thrive in life.

Get Involved:
Stay updated and share your support on social media using #REASEL. Together, we can create lasting change for Uganda’s future.