Finding a Reason to Love School: Jacob’s Story

The sound of whistling fills the air as 12-year-old Jacob performs his favourite role in the school drama – a herdsman with his stick. His enthusiastic performance not only earned him thunderous applause but also a special prize that would become a constant reminder of his transformation.

“I won a prize of a bag, and I am always reminded of that herdsman play every time I look at it,” Jacob beams. “My mum was ecstatic and rejoiced so much. It made my heart glad to see her proud of me.”

School wasn’t always a source of joy for Jacob. Not long ago, he was among those who had given up on education entirely. “I did not like school that much,” he recalls. “I had friends who had convinced me that school was a waste of time.” The lack of basic amenities like school meals reinforced his disinterest, leading him to skip classes and spend time with other children who had dropped out.

Everything changed when Jacob’s mother, Olivia, enrolled him at a primary school in Buyende, Uganda, where the SHARE program was being implemented. Through innovative teaching methods that combined play, drama, and comprehensive health education, Jacob discovered a new world of learning that transformed his education, his relationship with his mother, and his outlook on his future.

Life hasn't been easy for Jacob's family. His mother Olivia is from a nomadic pastoralist community. She and her children settled in Buyende, eastern Uganda after years of moving across the country. As a single mother of five children, she faces daily struggles, including discrimination from local communities and difficulty paying school fees. Despite these challenges, she remains determined to secure an education for her children.

When Jacob was on the verge of dropping out, the head teacher at his new school, a Right To Play partner school, worked with Olivia to create a flexible payment plan that would allow Jacob to continue his studies. The school's participation in the SHARE program proved to be transformative for both mother and son.

“When I reached my new school, I found many good things there,” Jacob explains. The program introduced him to various activities, from drama and dance to educational games and sports. And it provided crucial life skills education that went beyond traditional subjects.

Jacob’s teacher, Ibrahim, has noticed a remarkable transformation: “Jacob is more engaged in class and loves to participate in activities like drama and soccer.”

Now, instead of avoiding school, Jacob eagerly participates in soccer matches between grades, making friends and building confidence through sports. “School is where we get knowledge. But it is also where we make friends and grow stronger—like when we play soccer and volleyball together,” says Jacob.

TRANSFORMING HEALTH EDUCATION THROUGH PLAY

The SHARE program, implemented by Right To Play, in collaboration with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), WaterAid, and FHI360, addresses crucial gaps in health education and life skills for young students in Uganda. The program takes a unique approach by incorporating play-based learning methods to teach sensitive topics like reproductive health and puberty.

The five-year initiative aims to reach over 277,000 people across Uganda, with a particular focus on adolescent girls and young women aged 10-24.

The impact of the SHARE program extends throughout the community. In Buyende district alone, the program has reached 65 primary schools and 43 health centres already, training hundreds of teachers and health workers in adolescent-responsive services. The program has led to increased school retention, particularly among girls, and improved health-seeking behaviors among adolescents.

“It is important to use play to teach reproductive health because the target population we are working with are young people, aged 10 to 24. Children understand so fast when you teach them through play,” says Right To Play Project Officer Nelson Mandela. “Play makes them learn faster and incorporate it in their daily lives."

The program works both in and out of schools, engaging students, teachers, parents, and community members in comprehensive health education and life skills development. This comprehensive approach has helped break down barriers around discussing sensitive topics like reproductive health.

“We used to think only white people talked about these things with their kids,” says Olivia. “We were too shy to bring them up. But now, after learning from school, our children have begun challenging us. That opened the door for us to have more honest and open conversations with them.”

JACOB, THRIVING

Today, Jacob’s dreams stretch far beyond the playground. “I desire to have four jobs when I grow up,” he declares confidently. “First, become a pilot, secondly, in charge of road works and repairs, third policeman, and fourth is a teacher.”

The bond between Jacob and his mother has grown stronger through play. “I feel so good being and playing with my mother,” Jacob shares. “There are some children without mothers, but I am grateful to God that mine is around and we get to play together.”

“The SHARE program’s influence extends far beyond individual success stories like Jacob's. Across Uganda, the program has reached more than 4,000 parents through parenting sessions, helping transform family dynamics and communication around health and education. The program has built significant capacity within local health systems, training 42 community health workers in water and sanitation improvements, and enabling 20 health facility leaders to participate in cross-learning exchanges to enhance adolescent-responsive health services.

The impact is visible in improved health-seeking behaviors among adolescents, with many health centers now featuring dedicated adolescent corners. Some communities have seen child mothers return to school, including several preparing to sit for Primary Leaving Examinations. The program has also strengthened male engagement in reproductive health discussions and improved discipline among learners in mentorship clubs.

Through its comprehensive approach, SHARE is creating a ripple effect of positive change, fostering a more supportive environment for children's education, health, and development across participating communities.

The SHARE program is implemented by Right To Play, FAWE, WaterAid, FHI360, in partnership with local schools in Uganda, focusing on improving educational outcomes through play-based learning and comprehensive health education. The program is made possible with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.