The theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day is ‘Give to Gain’. This is the simple idea that when we invest our effort into those around us, the whole community reaps the rewards. One woman who really shows us ‘Give to Gain’ in action is mother of eight, Furaha Zabayo.
Furaha and her young family arrived in Uganda’s Kyaka II refugee settlement in 2018. Having lost her parents at a young age, Furaha had never had the chance to go to school, but now with her own family, she refuses to let history repeat itself. When she heard about the community-led preschool groups we support in her village, she didn’t just enrol her children. She stepped up to lead as a ‘Parent Champion’.
We provided Parent Champions with training on child development, so that they can gain the skills and knowledge needed to nurture children's cognitive, social, and emotional growth. They work together to become Early Childhood Education (ECE) ambassadors, supporting local learning and awareness initiatives. The hope is that Parent Champions like Furaha will create a ripple effect, promoting a culture of early learning support within the community.
She says, “I didn’t hesitate to take my children along, and I encouraged my fellow parents to take their children too. I help make learning materials, as shown by the teacher trainers and teachers. I join in with other activities too, like Parents’ Fun Days, parents’ meetings, and our local savings group, making it a must to contribute to the education fund.”
