Most of us take school for granted but, in parts of Northern Uganda, children are being deprived of an education because they simply can’t afford to go to school. Some of the money raised by Red Nose Day helps these children through a project called War Child. Here, First News looks at how the money you raise is helping to make a difference…

Victims of the war in Uganda

For more than 25 years there has been a conflict in Northern Uganda. This has led to large numbers of people being forced to leave their homes. Often children feel the impact of this the most and, in some cases, they have experienced violence and neglect. Their education has been disrupted and many are orphaned.

Richard’s story

Richard, 13, lost his mum and house during the war. Now he hopes education will give him a better future…

“When I grow up I want to be the Minister of Education because I would earn money and make sure other children can go to school,” says Richard. He is just 13 but he knows how important education is. It’s a way of getting a good job and escaping poverty.

Richard and his family had to leave their home during the conflict in Northern Uganda. Although there was a school nearby, it was not safe to go there.

During a ceasefire he was able to return to his village but his home was destroyed and his father had no money to send Richard back to school.

Thanks to War Child Richard was given books, pens and a school uniform which has given him the chance to improve his future. Richard understands that getting an education will increase his chances of getting a good job: “It is good to get an education because, without it, you won’t be able to get a job and look after yourself. If you get an education you will be respected and you will be able to support your family through any difficulties.”

Francis’ story

Ten-year-old Francis’s favourite possession is his school book, but the war has meant he can’t get an education…

Francis also lives in Northern Uganda with his uncle Walter and his four cousins. “If I could have one wish it would be to have books and pens so I could write and go to school,” he says.

Francis’s mother died from HIV and his father went missing during the conflict. Francis has been able to return to his village but, like Richard, his home was destroyed. Because of this he has been forced to help his uncle with repairs.

As well as helping to rebuild their hut, Francis’s responsibilities include fetching water and looking after his baby cousin. Although Francis likes helping, he is desperate to study.

“I want to study and go to school and, after that, I would like to train and become a driver because then I could earn money. Money is important because it can help you to buy utensils and books. My happiest memory was when my uncle asked someone else to look after the baby and I could go to school. If I could change one thing in the world I would make sure all children in Uganda could get books and pens so they could go to school.”

How Comic Relief helps 

Comic Relief spends all the money raised through Red Nose Day to give extremely vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa a helping hand to turn their lives around, through funding projects just like War Child. Go to www.rednoseday.com/monsterfun to find out more.

When you buy your Red Nose this year (£1 at Sainsbury’s, Oxfam or www.rednoseday.com/shop), 70p of that money goes directly to Comic Relief. Just 70p could help a child whose life has been torn apart by war in Uganda to start to rebuild their life. By giving them four exercise books, they can study at school and work towards a more secure future.

Words by Vicci Moyles for Comic Relief