A GLOBAL CRISIS
The global lack of quality education is a profound crisis for young people, particularly severe in Sub-Saharan Africa. This deficit limits opportunities, hindering economic mobility and perpetuating poverty.
Investing in life-skills education, career development initiatives, and addressing school dropout is crucial. Here’s why:
59%
of 15 to 17-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa are not attending school, representing the highest out-of-school rates globally.
(UNESCO)
5 in 10
children do not finish primary school while 7 in 10 children do not finish secondary school.
(Uganda Bureau of Statistics)
21.9%
of youth across Sub-Saharan Africa are not in employment, education, or training, exceeding the global rate.
(International Labour Organization)
1 in 4
girls in Uganda between the age 15 –
19 get pregnant and drop out of school losing out on all chances of education and career.
(Uganda Ministry of Education)
Childhood and adolescence is a pivotal time. Brass for Africa’s focus on education, particularly life-skills, career development, and reducing school dropout, is crucial during these formative years.
This approach equips young people with the tools for a better future, fostering resilience, creating pathways to opportunity, and promoting positive social impact within their communities.
By tackling these educational challenges, your investments lay the groundwork for a more equitable and prosperous future.
SOCIAL IMPACT: YOUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Your investment in Brass for Africa’s Education Fund is equipping young people with essential life-skills, fostering career pathways, and directly addressing the critical issue of school dropout, empowering them for brighter futures.
IMPACT ACHIEVED:
2,534 children and young people received life-skills training, leading to an average increase of 14% in agency and 17% in leadership skills. Additionally, 74% of program participants performed better than the national average in academic achievement.
OUR GOAL:
To enhance agency, leadership, and academic performance through life-skills training, equipping young people to be community leaders and improve their overall outcomes.
IMPACT ACHIEVED:
Career development initiatives provided paid performance opportunities for over 480 young people in the Bidibidi refugee settlement, increased business acumen for 80 youth in Kampala, and trained 45 young skilled individuals in sound operation, instrument repair, and brass band training. In total, Brass for Africa advanced career and income opportunities for 605 youth.
OUR GOAL:
To address youth unemployment by contributing to industrial skills development, career guidance, job creation, and entrepreneurship, ultimately increasing economic opportunities for young people.
IMPACT ACHIEVED:
2,000 girls in Bidibidi refugee settlement and Yumbe town, and 160 girls in Kalangala island received reusable pads to address period poverty.
OUR GOAL:
To reduce school dropout rates, particularly among girls, by addressing factors such as period poverty through MHM services and implementing attitude change initiatives.
united nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Innovative solutions creating life-changing impact: access to education creates multi-dimensional benefits that advance the U.N Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
SDG1:
No
Poverty
Eradicating poverty in all its forms everywhere
SDG4:
quality
education
Ensuring inclusive and equitable learning for all
SDG5:
gender
equality
Empowering women and girls through equal opportunities
SDG8:
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promoting sustainable employment and economic opportunity
JOIN A COMMUNITY OF IMPACT-DRIVEN VISIONARIES
frequently asked questions
We are meticulous in selecting our local partners. Upon identifying a potential partner or receiving expressions of interest from them, we engage in personal meetings to assess compatibility for collaboration. We ensure that the local partner upholds our core values: inspiration, passion, integrity, and inclusivity and an alignment with our commitment to enhancing health, equality, and education.
Once mutual interest and alignment are confirmed, we explore the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the partner. An MOU, while not legally binding like a contract, serves as a formal agreement outlining the scope, goals, and expected contributions of each party. This document provides a solid framework for future agreements and demonstrates a sincere intent to work together, fostering trust and credibility in the partnership.
When you invest in Brass for Africa, you can expect a comprehensive and transparent assessment of our social impact. Our rigorous measurement approach focuses on key areas that illustrate the transformative outcomes of your investment:
- Individual Empowerment: We meticulously track educational attainment metrics, including school enrolment, reduced dropout rates, and academic progress. Additionally, we measure skill development, such as musical proficiency, life-skills acquisition, and career readiness, as well as improvements in overall well-being, evidenced by participation in health initiatives and reported enhancements in mental health and resilience.
- Community Engagement: Our impact assessment encompasses community stability and social cohesion. We measure participation rates in our programmes, the involvement of families and local leaders, and the positive influence of our music performances and outreach within the community.
- Equality and Inclusion: We are dedicated to promoting gender equality and inclusion of marginalised groups. Our monitoring efforts ensure equitable access and opportunities within our programmes, with a focus on equal participation of girls, leadership roles for young women, and inclusion of all within our initiatives.
- Programme Effectiveness: Continuous evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of our educational, health, and equality initiatives is paramount. This includes monitoring attendance, assessing life-skills development, gathering feedback from participants and stakeholders, and tracking the progression of our alumni.
By aligning our impact measurement with relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we ensure accountability and demonstrate the profound social impact of your investment in Brass for Africa.
Absolutely! Occasionally, we organise a special trip to Uganda for our investors to personally witness the incredible impact of their investments. This exclusive opportunity allows you to engage directly with our programmes, explore the communities we serve, meet the dedicated individuals driving positive change, hear inspiring personal stories, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Kampala and its surroundings.
This unforgettable experience provides a firsthand look at the transformative work your support enables. If you are eager to see the tangible difference your investment is making, we look forward to connecting with you and coordinating your visit.
Brass for Africa’s dedicated team comprises 50 individuals working from our headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, across various departments including Operations, Music Education, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Media. We are also supported by 18 Music & Life-Skills teachers who are integral to our programmes. In addition, we have 4 team members working remotely from the UK.
It’s important to note that 90% of our staff is African, emphasising our commitment to empowering and employing local talent within the communities we serve. This diverse and highly talented team is united in our mission to make a positive impact through music education and community development initiatives.
Certainly! Our approach involves partnering with community-based organisations (CBOs) in Uganda, which are local groups actively working within their communities to address specific needs and issues. These CBOs play a crucial role in the development and implementation of Brass for Africa programmes. They differ from larger, centralised NGOs by often having a more direct and immediate impact on the lives of local residents.
Community-based organisations in Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia operate across key areas such as health, education, economic development, and social welfare. By collaborating closely with these grassroots organisations, we ensure that our programmes are community-driven, culturally sensitive, and effectively meet the unique needs of the local population. This partnership model not only empowers the community but also fosters sustainable, impactful change from within.
Rather than directing the investment towards specific children, young people, or communities, your support will advance programmes addressing the specific focus area you are investing in. We believe this approach ensures fairness and reduces discrimination, as the funds benefit all members of the programme equally, without favouring certain individuals or communities over others. Our focus is on driving communal and social change rather than individual change, ensuring that the impact of your investment is felt across the entire programme, promoting inclusivity and equitable support for all participants.
Brass for Africa determines where your investment goes based on the need and priority of the programmes within the focus area of investment. Your investment will be directed toward the programme that requires more support and aligns with the specified focus area (Education, Equality or Health). This ensures that your investment has a meaningful impact and contributes to the advancement of the identified priorities within Brass for Africa’s initiatives.
talk to a team member
If you have additional questions, please reach out. We’d love to tell you more about our Investment Funds. Talk to Andrea Berbegal, Director of Development: andrea@brassforafrica.org