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In Uganda, where an estimated 16% of children face disabilities, the formidable barriers to education for many are stark. Most of these children grapple with challenges hindering their access to schooling, and those who manage often encounter difficulties transitioning between educational levels.
Only 5% of children with disabilities have access to education through inclusive schools, while a mere 10% benefit from specialized institutions.
The obstacles these children face are multifaceted, encompassing issues ranging from a lack of physical capacity and infrastructure to insufficient learning materials. Inadequate teacher capacity, coupled with prevalent negative attitudes and stigma, further exacerbates the challenges, severely limiting access, retention, and the overall quality of education for learners with special needs.
In response to this critical issue, Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Uganda, has forged a collaborative alliance with its customers through the Round Up Your Bill initiative aimed at supporting children with special needs.
The premise of the initiative is both simple and impactful with customers shopping at Carrefour stores opting to round up their bill to the nearest whole number at the checkout counter.
The difference between the transaction total and the rounded-up amount is then directed to institutions dedicated to supporting children with special needs.
In just two years since its inception in 2021, the Round Up Your Bill initiative has proven to be a formidable force for good, amassing over UGX 285 million. This substantial fund has already initiated transformative changes, evident at Noah’s Ark Village, a facility supporting over 70 children with special needs, which benefitted from the initiative through the construction of three new classroom blocks, a renovated sickbay, and an upgraded dormitory.
The remaining funds will finance projects including the renovation of school facilities and the construction of classroom blocks, washrooms, and sickbays at institutions such as Peculiar Child Care Support, Kireka Home for Children, Mulago School for The Deaf, Kiswa Primary School, and Ntinda School for the Deaf.
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Christophe Orcet, the Regional Director of East Africa at Majid Al Futtaim, said they are proud to see the significant contributions being made with the support of their colleagues and customers.
“As always, everyone at Carrefour is committed to doing as much as we can to uplift the community and help those in need in Uganda,” he said.
The collaborative effort extends beyond mere fundraising with Carrefour staff also actively engaged in volunteering, distribution, and other support initiatives, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and strengthening the bond between the company and the community it serves.
A Carrefour customer said participating in this initiative had made them feel like their everyday actions have a real impact.
“It’s more than just shopping; it’s about contributing to something bigger and making a positive difference in the lives of children with special needs. It’s a small act that collectively adds up to significant change,” said the customer
Beyond the “Round Up Your Bill” initiative, Carrefour maintains a broader commitment to social responsibility, exemplified by a recent collective bargaining agreement with the Uganda Hotels, Food, Tourism, Supermarkets, and Allied Workers Union (HTS Union).
The agreement ensures that Carrefour staff receive essential benefits and improved working conditions, further illustrating the company’s dedication to fostering positive change in the communities it serves.