Fostering Environmental Awareness: Ashinaga Uganda’s Enriching Outing to Entebbe Disney Park

On May 22, 2024, Ashinaga Uganda’s Rainbow House organized a memorable outing to Entebbe Disney Park for 150 children from the Nansana community. The children’s outing is a part of Ashinaga Uganda’s psychosocial programming, organized every May by the Care Program team. These outings offer children from low-resource settings an opportunity to relax, learn, and socialize away from daily challenges. The event is designed to entertain and educate children, exposing them to new environments and experiences they might not otherwise have due to financial constraints.

This year’s theme focused on waste management and recycling, addressing a significant gap in the children’s understanding of environmental stewardship. The program included papercraft activities conducted by Paper Craft, a local organization that provides sustainable income for socially disadvantaged Ugandans by producing and selling handmade paper and paper products. They promote environmental awareness and encourage recycling by purchasing agricultural waste products which would otherwise be considered waste. Paper Craft was chosen as the destination for this year’s outing as it provided an opportunity to teach valuable lessons on waste management and creativity, aligning with the program’s educational objectives. By participating in these activities, the children learned the importance of keeping their environment clean and discovered practical skills that could generate income.

 

 

Since 2018, Proscovia, the Program Coordinator, has observed significant improvements in the children’s confidence and willingness to engage with others after participating in these outings. Initially shy and fearful, the children now greet the staff, ask questions, and share their experiences openly. The children are now more eager to participate, discuss their experiences, and apply what they’ve learned, particularly in environmental conservation and teamwork.

Looking ahead, Ashinaga Uganda Rainbow House aims to introduce the children to farming, an essential part of Uganda’s economy. By exposing them to traditional and urban farming practices, the team hopes to change perceptions about agriculture and empower the children with skills to improve their families’ financial situations.

Proscovia extended heartfelt gratitude to Ashinaga’s supporters, especially those in Ashinaga, Japan, and the donors. She emphasized that their support is crucial for the children’s development and well-being, allowing the programs to provide significant benefits that the children and their families sincerely appreciate.

 

The children’s responses to the outing were overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude and excitement. They enjoyed the activities, learned valuable lessons about recycling, and appreciated the chance to explore new places. One child shared, “I have learned many things today. I have made many new friends. I enjoyed many games and have seen ways to save our environment.” Another said, “The outing was so good. I enjoyed it. I had fun with others and played on the swings. So, I want to say a special thanks to Ashinaga.”