Inspiring his community in Karamoja - Meet Edrine

From training with Children on the Edge to establishing local Child Protection Teams in his home district of Karamoja, Edrine’s story is a powerful example of how community-led initiatives create lasting change from the ground up.

My name is Edrine, and I'm from Karamoja, a region in north-eastern Uganda facing immense challenges like poverty, violence, and famine. Between the ages of seven and ten, I was homeless, living alone on the streets of Jinja city. Life as a street child was the worst thing anyone could experience, and I never want to see another child go through it.

As a young adult, I joined a Child Protection Team run by Children on the Edge Africa in Jinja. The training gave me the knowledge and confidence to advocate for street-connected children. Inspired, I moved back to my father’s homeland of Karamoja, determined to help my own community.

Today, we have many Child Protection Teams here. They work with thousands of people and families to change mindsets and create a safe environment for children. 

Local people are working together to get more children into school, stop trafficking, improve health and hygiene, and make sure everyone has enough to eat.