Literacy Projects in Uganda

Empowering communities through literacy

Nat from The Book Typesetters explains why they chose to sponsor our writing competition.

Local Writers

There are many aspiring writers in Uganda who do not have the support, encouragement, resources and opportunities to showcase their creative work. Therefore, The Lela Initiative seeks to find and support these budding Ugandan writers: through our book clubs, mentoring and writing discussions as well as our annual writing competition.

The Lela Initiative aims to invest in the country’s economy by supporting Ugandan authors and buying from local bookshop.

Rural School Libraries

We work with schools in rural communities to help them improve their reading culture by refurbishing their school library with new decor, bookcases and most importantly, books. This allows students to access reading materials in a welcoming environment at no cost to themselves. The majority of the funding for this project comes from our Twinning programme.

  • Before: Wobbly bookshelves

  • Before: Pitted floor

  • During: Plastered & painted

  • During: New floor

  • During: New bookshelves

  • After: New bookshelves

  • Pupils and Lela Burbridge sit in library and talk

    After: Lela meets pupils in the new library

  • After: Pupils make use of the new library

  • Urban Children's Library

    The Urban Children’s Library is run in partnership with a local church in Kampala. On a Saturday, children come to hear stories and are provided with a meal. For many, this will be their only meal of the day. The children can then return the next day for Sunday School.

    The Lela Initiative is working with the church to provide a shelter for the children, story books and Sunday School material.

  • Rural Community Reading Hubs

    The Lela Initiative works in partnership with local organisations to transform tired spaces into vibrant places where everyone from the community has the opportunity to read. These Reading Hubs also host classes and information sessions on issues relevant to the local community e.g. reading lessons, classes on starting up small businesses, women’s health etc. The majority of the funding for this project comes from our Twinning programme.