The Challenge Facing Uganda
Grass to Gold is in the business of changing and shaping lives. The work we do is aimed at providing a holistic approach to solving some of our society’s biggest challenges. Grass to Gold, together with our partners, seek to bring awareness about the very real challenges facing the many millions of young women in Uganda today. By focusing on Education, Employment and Athlete Development we can deliver a brighter future to these young women and their communities.
Troubling Demographics
In Uganda 70% of the population are under 30 and 50% are under the age of 15. This explosion in population has come about due to one of the highest birth rates in the world. Sadly this is, in part, being driven by the highest teen pregnancy rates of any nation in the world and similarly high rates of teen marriage. These issues are robbing young women of an education and in turn opportunities to contribute more broadly to their communities.
Lack of Supporting Infrastructure
The impact of this booming population is being felt everywhere across Uganda, it is crippling the already fragile structures that support those in poverty. 14 Million Ugandans are living on less than $1.90 a day.
Unfortunately in the most critical metrics for community development, including school attendance, graduation rate, university attendance, undertaking post graduate study and finding employment, women are dramatically under-represented. 700,000 young women of school age in Uganda have never attended school.
“Netball should be seen as a tool for sustainable development. I wouldn’t have known the world outside my own village without netball.
I look at netball like a pillar to lean on, all that I am today is because of netball.”