Empowering Children to Develop Social and Emotional Learning and Literacy Through Play

In Uganda, education has long prioritised traditional teaching methods, often neglecting the integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and foundational literacy. As a result, many children are left without the essential skills to manage emotional challenges or reach their full academic potential, limiting their ability to succeed in both school and life.

The Problem:
In rural Uganda, many children lack access to quality foundational literacy and social-emotional learning (SEL). Poor educational outcomes are exacerbated by inadequate resources, untrained teachers, and disengagement from marginalized communities. As a result, 39.5% of children in grades 3 to 7 can only read at a grade 2 level, and 25.1% cannot read basic words (Uwezo, 2021; World Bank, 2022). Compounding this issue, 17.6% of schoolchildren face mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression (New Vision, 2025), further hindering their academic and personal development. Without support in both emotional and academic growth, these children are trapped in a cycle of poverty and inequality.

Our Solution:

We have developed and are implementing our Play, Learn and Grow Toolkit that uses play to integrate SEL into foundational literacy. In our pilot phase, through fun and engaging activities, we are impacting 1,400 learners across 7 primary schools in Luuka District, developing foundational literacy and essential SEL skills, including, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making and determination.

By combining these SEL skills with foundational literacy, we are empowering children to thrive academically and emotionally.

Our Goal:
Our goal is to expand the impact of our approach to 150 schools, reaching over 30,000 children annually. By empowering these children with foundational literacy and SEL skills, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change for future generations.

Call to Action:

Join us in our mission to empower Uganda’s children. Your support helps us:

1. Develop and implement play-based learning programs in rural schools
2. Train educators and caregivers in SEL and play-based methodologies
3. Provide essential resources for engaging, interactive learning

Every contribution counts. With your help, we can make a lasting impact on Uganda’s children, unlocking their full potential and creating a brighter future for all.

Donate Now:
Every contribution counts, and with your support, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of Uganda’s children. Donate today and help us unlock the potential of the next generation.

Get Involved:
Stay updated on our campaign progress, share your thoughts, and join the conversation on social media using JM Education & Research Centre.