Oyam, Uganda: The Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH) has launched a 10-week community-based dialogue campaign aimed at strengthening problem-solving skills among children and adolescents in Oyam District, focusing on building parental support and fostering a culture of curiosity at home and in schools.
The campaign, launched in partnership with local stakeholders, will engage 60 participants, 30 from Akongatar Village in Iceme Sub-County (rural) and 30 from the Nursing Quarter in Oyam Town Council (urban), to explore how different environments shape life skills development.
The initiative follows a 2020–2022 assessment by Uwezo Uganda and the ALIVE consortium, which showed that while adolescents aged 13–17 exhibited strengths in collaboration and self-awareness, many struggled with problem-solving skills, considered vital for navigating personal, academic, and social challenges.
Kandi Alum, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer at FICH, said the campaign is designed to raise awareness about the role parents, schools, and communities play in nurturing cognitive and analytical abilities in children.
“When children ask questions and parents respond positively, it reinforces their problem-solving capacity,” she said. “This campaign is about creating safe spaces for dialogue, promoting shared learning, and equipping families to support their children better.”
During the first session held at St. Peter’s Church Anyeke in Oyam Town Council, participants emphasized the importance of encouraging children to ask questions. This, they said, helps build confidence, curiosity, and analytical skills critical for problem resolution.
Rev. Robert Ediga, Vicar of Oyam Archdeaconry, welcomed the initiative, saying it addresses a real need among families.
“A topic that touches me deeply is allowing children to ask questions freely. This nurtures confidence and critical thinking. Many parents struggle to address their children’s concerns effectively, and this dialogue campaign is a vital step in bridging that communication gap,” Rev. Ediga said.
Jennifer Aloyo, a resident of Nursing Quarter, said the sessions have helped her appreciate the value of being approachable and responsive as a parent. “When we are friendly and open, children feel safe to ask questions, which enhances their curiosity and learning. Providing guidance helps children navigate challenges with clarity,” she said.
Stella Anyango, a community leader in Oyam Town Council, noted that parents must remain actively engaged with their children, especially during adolescence.
“Many girls drop out of school because of changes in their bodies and the lack of open conversations at home. If we support our children during these times, they’ll be more open, and we can guide them properly. These 10 weeks will be impactful if lessons are put into practice,” she said.
Recent studies have linked school dropout rates among adolescents to poor guidance, weak social skills, early pregnancies, lack of role models, drug abuse, and poverty. FICH’s campaign seeks to counter these factors by strengthening community resilience and encouraging problem-solving dialogue at the grassroots level.
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