The Mandela Project is a sponsorship program that eliminates the financial barrier for qualified Girl Power Project graduates to pursue higher and professional education

Girls who are in their final year of primary school and have gone through the full two year Girl Power Project curriculum are provided an opportunity to apply for a Just Like My Child Foundation sponsorship for secondary school. Girls may be nominated by their teachers, peers and girl power advocates. In each of their cases, their families cannot afford the school fees to continue to keep them enrolled, despite their high marks and stellar academic performance. Each year a cohort of girls are awarded a sponsorship after interviews and home visits with our team.

Just Like My Child Foundation Uganda commits to sponsor and mentor the girls through secondary school graduation as long as they perform well in school. Their parents must also be fully engaged in their success. The sponsorship covers the following expenses: 

• School application fees

• Transportation to/from school

• Medical and preventative health care for the student and her family

• School uniform and scholastic materials (textbooks, paper, pencils, etc.)

• Tuition and fees

• Room, board and hygiene supplies

• Mentorship and career counseling for the scholar and her family 

A girl is only added to the program when a dedicated individual or family sponsor commits to fully fund her success through the entirety of her secondary school education. For these girls, the opportunity to exchange correspondence with the person sending them love and encouragement makes a big impact on their lives. The mandela program currently sponsors 43 girls.