Education

Uniform A Child

Uniform a Child

Providing school uniforms to vulnerable learners. Uniform a Child is a child-centred educational support intervention designed to eliminate non-tuition barriers to education by providing school uniforms and essential items to vulnerable learners.

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1No Poverty3Good Health & Well-being4Quality Education10Reduced Inequalities

A boy proudly holding his new pair of school shoes

100s

School uniforms distributed

The challenge

Why this program exists

An estimated 1.2 million children are out of school in Kenya. Uniform requirements contribute significantly to absenteeism and exclusion — the lack of a school uniform contributes to absenteeism, dropout rates, social exclusion, reduced learning outcomes and education inequality. Sub-Saharan Africa has over 98 million out-of-school children, and UNESCO reports over 244 million children and youth out of school globally. Uniform a Child exists to remove this specific, addressable barrier.

1.2MChildren out of school in Kenya
98M+Out-of-school children, Sub-Saharan Africa
244M+Out-of-school children & youth globally (UNESCO)
4SDGs this program advances

Our response

What this program does

We provide school uniforms to vulnerable learners across Kenya. The project promotes inclusive, equitable and quality learning environments by providing school uniforms, shirts, sweaters, skirts, trousers and shoes for vulnerable learners.

What we're working to achieve

01
Mission
To enhance equitable access to education by addressing non-financial barriers through provision of school uniforms and essential support to vulnerable children.
02
Vision
A socially inclusive education system where every child participates fully and confidently in learning without barriers.
03
Reach the most vulnerable learners first
Prioritise orphans and vulnerable children, learners from low-income and marginalised households, children in rural or underserved regions, teenage mothers returning to school, and children at risk of dropping out.
04
Support the whole school-readiness package
Go beyond uniforms to shirts, sweaters, skirts, trousers and shoes.

How it works

How the program runs day to day

01
Needs assessment with schools
Working with head teachers and local leaders to identify learners most in need of support.
02
Uniform and supply procurement
Sourcing school uniforms, shirts, sweaters, skirts, trousers and shoes locally.
03
Partnership-led distribution
Working through partnerships with schools, local leaders, government stakeholders, donors and communities to reach learners.
04
Follow-up attendance tracking
Checking in with schools to confirm improved attendance and confidence after distribution.

Impact

What this program has achieved so far

100s

School uniforms distributed

See impact across all programs

A Uniform a Child distribution day with folded uniforms and shoes laid out for learners

Human story: Brian

Brian: a uniform, shoes and a school bag

“Equipped with a new uniform, shoes and school bag, he returned to school with renewed confidence. Today, Brian once again dreams of completing his education.”

Read the Story

The difference a uniform makes

Before & after

Real photos from our own field assessments and distributions — the same barrier, and real children, on either side of a uniform.

Before: a learner barefoot in a worn, improvised uniform — **Before**A worn, improvised uniform and no shoes. A daily barrier to dignity and confidence in the classroom.

After: the same learner confident in her new school uniform and shoes — **After**A full, matching uniform and proper shoes — the same learner, ready to walk into class with her head held high.

Photo story

Uniform a Child in pictures

Select a photo to view it larger. Use the filters to browse by activity.

FAQs

Common questions

Who is eligible for a uniform package?

Orphans and vulnerable children, children from low-income and marginalised households, learners in rural or underserved regions, teenage mothers returning to school, and children identified as at risk of dropping out.

What does a full package include?

School uniforms, shirts, sweaters, skirts, trousers and shoes — the essential items a child needs to attend with confidence.

What is the expected impact?

Short-term: increased school attendance and improved learner confidence. Medium-term: reduced dropout rates and improved academic engagement. Long-term: enhanced education equity, social inclusion and improved life opportunities.

What are the future plans for this program?

Scaling to more regions, and integrating nutrition, dignity kits and mentorship programs alongside uniform provision, while strengthening long-term partnerships.

Can I sponsor a specific child or school?

Yes. Reach out through our Contact page and we'll help match your gift to a school or learner in need.

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