EmpowerEd Refugee Children

EmpowerEd Refugee Children is a Canadian-registered charity founded by Renee Singirankabo, a retired teacher, former refugee, and Rotarian. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that refugee children in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda have access to the most basic of human rights: education.

A Light of Hope for Refugee Families

Established in 2019 after witnessing the severe lack of schooling in Nakivale, EmpowerEd partners with local elementary and secondary schools to break the cycle of poverty through literacy, nutrition, and care.
In Nakivale — home to more than 212,000 refugees from seven African countries — over half the population is under 20 years old. Yet only a handful of UN-supported schools exist. Many families cannot afford tuition, uniforms, or even daily meals for their children.

EmpowerEd addresses this urgent need by paying for school fees, uniforms, and basic supplies for children who would otherwise be excluded. The program also funds daily meals — breakfast and lunch — for elementary students and provides boarding, tuition, and school materials for high-school students who must study outside the camp.

Rotary’s Support for Basic Education and Literacy

In 2025, the Rotary Club of West Ottawa (RCWO) supported EmpowerEd through its International Service Committee (ISC), providing a $1,500 grant to help sustain the food, uniform, and school-supply program.

This initiative was championed within the committee by Rotarian Hugh Williams, whose steady leadership and international perspective helped strengthen the connection between RCWO and EmpowerEd. Hugh’s involvement exemplifies the spirit of Rotary’s Area of Focus on Basic Education and Literacy — turning compassion into tangible impact for children and families who need it most.

Impact in 2025

The current school year in Uganda began in February and will end in November 2025. With Rotary’s help, EmpowerEd now supports 201 students in two elementary schools and 25 students in one high school.

• BTC Saint Joseph Elementary School: 169 students (Kindergarten–Grade 3) receive daily breakfast and lunch. Attendance is high, absenteeism is low, and test results are steadily improving.

• Elite Elementary School: 32 students (Grades 4–7) receive tuition support and lunch; families express deep gratitude for the opportunity their children now have.

• Heritage High School: 25 students (Grades 8–12) attend boarding school, where they enjoy nutritious meals and a safe, stable environment away from the hardships of camp life.

When visiting the schools in April 2025, Ms. Singirankabo noted the children’s energy, discipline, and enthusiasm — a testament to the transformative power of education and nutrition.

Looking Ahead

EmpowerEd continues to grow each year: from 60 students supported in 2022 to over 225 in 2025. The organization is now collaborating with RCWO to pursue a District Grant for 2026, which will allow even more children to enroll and thrive.

EmpowerEd’s mission aligns perfectly with Rotary’s vision of creating lasting change — locally and globally. By investing in education, Rotary Club of West Ottawa is helping refugee children in Uganda gain literacy, confidence, and the tools they need to build peaceful, productive lives.

Website: www.empoweredrc.org
Rotary Club of West Ottawa – International Service Committee