In a vibrant ceremony brimming with hope and community spirit, Stromme Foundation today strengthened its campaign to promote school retention and completion among girls through the launch of the innovative EcoJua solar-powered bags at Namakakale Primary School and Walibo Primary School in Luuka District, Eastern Uganda.
The initiative, aimed at empowering girls and keeping children in school amid challenges posed by the local sugarcane industry, highlights a collaborative effort to address period poverty, teenage pregnancy, forced child marriage, and other barriers to education in rural communities.
It operates through Bonga after-school clubs, where teenage girls are equipped with critical life skills to make informed choices and take charge of their futures.
The EcoJua bagswaterproof backpacks equipped with reusable sanitary pads, integrated solar lights for nighttime studying, and educational booklets on menstrual health were produced by the Smart Girls Foundation with funding from Stromme Foundation.
Distributed through school-based Bonga clubs, these bags directly tackle two major causes of school dropout: lack of access to hygiene products and unsafe or inadequate lighting for studying at home.
The launch event, attended by local government officials, educators, parents, and over 500 learners, underscored the transformative power of education in breaking cycles of poverty.
Stromme Foundation, a Norwegian-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to fighting poverty through quality inclusive education, income generation, and green job creation, promotes the Bonga clubs in Luuka and other districts.
Implemented in collaboration with African Evangelistic Enterprises (AEE)Stromme’s regional partner in Busoga—the clubs focus on self-confidence, decision-making, financial education, and practical skills like making reusable sanitary pads and liquid soap, which foster better menstrual health and improve school retention among girls.
Joseph Walugembe, Programs Manager at Stromme Foundation, emphasised the urgency of such interventions in sugarcane-growing areas like Luuka, where teenage girls are particularly vulnerable to early sexual activity.
“We recognise the government’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, but additional efforts are required to keep learners, especially girls, in school. That’s what we achieve through the extra-curricular activities of the Bonga school clubs,” he said.
Dinah Morgan, Country Director of Stromme Foundation in Uganda, elaborated on the organisation’s broader mission:
“Our mission is to fight poverty through quality inclusive education, income generation, and job creation. We know why girls drop out period poverty, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage, all of which trap families in intergenerational poverty. That’s why we partnered with Smart Girls Foundation to launch the EcoJua bags, made by Bonga girls themselves. These include reusable sanitary pads, a light for reading after school, and a booklet to help our girls overcome period poverty. We work hand-in-hand with AEE, local government, School Management Committees, and teachers to make this change happen.”
At Namakakale Primary School, where enrolment has surged from 350 pupils last year to 534 in primary and 132 in Early Childhood Development (ECD), Headteacher Kajamiti Amos painted a picture of progress and persistence.
“Last year we had 350 learners; now we have 534 in primary and 132 in ECD,” Amos noted. “We’ve faced many challenges, including inadequate latrines, but in the past two years we’ve made great strides.”
He cited key milestones including training of the School Management Committee in developing viable school improvement plans, teacher training in mental health and psychosocial support, equipping play and stimulation facilities, and replacing uncomfortable adult desks with 360 child-friendly chairs.
The school has also embraced climate-smart agriculture, teaching pupils to grow vegetables both at school and at home. “We give seedlings to each child and do follow-ups, which can even lead to small income-generating activities at home,” Amos explained.
The Bonga after-school sessions have been pivotal, helping learners build self-confidence and practical hygiene skills like making sanitary pads and liquid soap. A new playground has also brought joy to the community. “I am deeply grateful to AEE and Stromme Foundation,” Amos added.
The school prides itself on inclusivity: “Here we empower children with disabilities, unlike other schools,” he said. Sensitization efforts with the district education department have helped mobilize parents, reducing dropouts as “parents are now bringing learners to school.”
Still, challenges persist. Amos appealed for more classrooms since ECD pupils still study under tree shade—additional latrines to match the rising enrolment, and community sensitisation about the value of ECD. He also called for a perimeter fence to prevent theft and encroachment.
At Walibo Primary School, Headteacher Ms. Babilekele Rebecca echoed the positive impact of Stromme Foundation’s programs, which she said are helping girls resist the lure of sugarcane plantation workers who often entice them with small sums of money.
Mr. Dickens Ziwa, a board member of AEE, framed the initiative within the organisation’s twofold mission:
“AEE creates change through both the gospel and social transformation,” he said. “We thank the community for its support and call on everyone including learners to be part of this by staying in school.”
He hailed teachers as “heroes” for their dedication and urged parents to nurture their children positively rather than using hurtful words during family conflicts.
Local leaders also welcomed the initiative. Hellen Aliwayatya, Community Development Officer (CDO) for Bulanga Town Council, praised its ripple effects:
“As local government, we are very grateful to AEE and Stromme Foundation. These bags will help our children read at home, and they’ve taught them so many skills—you’ve made my work easier,” she said.
“Sugarcane is everywhere, but it doesn’t benefit us if children hide in the plantations. I truly thank Stromme Foundation and AEE.”Bulanga Town Council Deputy Mayor Namango Alice also applauded the project’s impact on education and community welfare, urging residents to send all children to school.
Ijokua Mesely, Team Leader for EcoJua Smart Bags at Smart Girls Foundation, demonstrated the bags’ features to excited pupils.
“These aren’t just bags—they’re tools to help children stay and complete school,” Mesely said. “The waterproof design, pad slots for dignity, and solar-powered light mean no more studying by candlelight or missing class because of periods.”
She noted that over thirty three thousand EcoJua bags have already been distributed across Uganda.
As the sun set over the school grounds, students proudly held their new EcoJua bags, chanting Bonga club slogans. The launch represented far more than a distribution exercise it symbolised determination, hope, and a brighter future for learners, especially girls, in Luuka’s sugarcane fields.
With government support and strong community participation, Stromme Foundation and its partners aim to scale up these efforts to reach thousands more learners. For now, in Namakakale and Walibo, the message shines bright: Education—illuminated one bag at a time—is the path out of poverty.