Our Priority Areas

1. Child Protection and Safeguarding

Every child deserves to feel safe at home, at school and within their community.

UNCC works with families, community leaders, child protection stakeholders and relevant authorities to identify and respond to risks affecting vulnerable children.

Our protection priorities include:

• Prevention of child abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence.

• Community awareness on child rights and safeguarding.

• Prevention of child marriage and harmful practices.

• Identification and referral of children requiring urgent protection.

• Support for children experiencing family separation or abandonment.

• Promotion of safe reporting, confidentiality and child-centred responses.

We advocate for protection systems that prioritise children's safety, dignity, best interests and meaningful participation.

2. Child Mothers Education and Childcare Support

Motherhood Should Not End a Girl's Education.

Adolescent mothers in refugee and displacement-affected communities often face significant barriers to continuing their education, including stigma, poverty, childcare responsibilities and limited family support.

UNCC's Child Mothers Education & Childcare Initiative seeks to help young mothers remain connected to education while ensuring their babies receive appropriate care and protection.

Our proposed integrated support model includes:

• Safe, supervised childcare during school hours.

• Assistance with school attendance and educational reintegration.

• Childcare arrangements that support adolescent mothers' learning.

• Nutrition and basic wellbeing support for mothers and babies.

• Referral to qualified healthcare and child protection professionals.

• Psychosocial support and positive parenting education.

• Engagement with families, schools and community leaders to reduce stigma.

The initiative is designed to create practical pathways for young mothers to continue their studies, strengthen their independence and build a more secure future for themselves and their children.

3. Inclusive Education and Digital Learning

Education is a fundamental right and a powerful pathway out of poverty, exclusion and long-term dependency.

UNCC promotes inclusive learning opportunities for refugee children, children with disabilities, adolescent mothers and learners affected by displacement.

Through our Teacher in a Box education initiative, we are working to introduce offline digital learning resources that can support students and educators in communities with limited internet connectivity.

Our education priorities include:

• Improved access to learning materials and educational resources.

• Offline digital learning opportunities.

• Support for children returning to formal education.

• Inclusion of children with disabilities.

• Learning opportunities for adolescent mothers and out-of-school girls.

• Collaboration with schools, education authorities and community stakeholders.

We aim to complement existing education systems and support equitable access to learning.

4. Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy and School Dropout

Early pregnancy, sexual exploitation, poverty and harmful social practices can interrupt education and expose children to serious protection risks.

UNCC promotes age-appropriate awareness, community dialogue, safeguarding education and access to qualified support services.

Our approach focuses on prevention, early identification, referral and reintegration rather than stigma or punishment.

We believe that pregnant adolescents and young mothers should be treated with dignity and supported to continue their education wherever safe and appropriate.

5. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Children affected by conflict, displacement, family separation and violence may experience significant emotional distress.

UNCC promotes child-sensitive psychosocial support through trusted community relationships, safe engagement activities and referral pathways to qualified service providers.

Our priorities include emotional wellbeing, positive family relationships, resilience, social inclusion and access to appropriate specialist support when required.

6. Community Engagement and Child Protection Advocacy

Protecting children requires the participation of families, schools, community leaders, humanitarian organisations and government authorities.

UNCC engages with refugee welfare structures and local stakeholders to strengthen community awareness, encourage safe reporting and advocate for child-centred protection responses.

Our Child Welfare Ambassador initiative seeks to promote community participation in safeguarding and the identification of children requiring assistance.

Where We Work

Our child protection and education activities and development priorities focus on displacement-affected communities in Uganda and Kenya, particularly:

• Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement

• Imvepi Refugee Settlement

• Eden Settlement and Terego District

• Arua and surrounding communities

• Other refugee-hosting locations identified through community needs assessments

• Vulnerable refugee and urban communities in Kenya

Expansion of services is guided by community needs, safeguarding capacity, available resources and coordination with relevant authorities.

Our Community Protection Experience

UNCC's community engagement and protection assessments have highlighted serious challenges affecting vulnerable adolescent girls and young mothers, including early pregnancy, unsafe reproductive health outcomes, educational exclusion and inadequate childcare support.

These findings reinforce the importance of coordinated prevention, safe referrals, family engagement and accessible educational pathways.

Our work seeks to turn these community concerns into practical, sustainable and child-centred interventions.

Our Commitment to Child Safeguarding

UNCC is committed to promoting the safety, dignity and rights of every child.

Our approach is guided by:

• The best interests of the child.

• Zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation and harassment.

• Respect for privacy and confidentiality.

• Safe and appropriate reporting procedures.

• Non-discrimination and disability inclusion.

• Collaboration with qualified protection and healthcare professionals.

• Accountability to children, families and communities.

We recognise that effective child protection requires appropriate training, professional referral pathways and responsible coordination with statutory authorities.

Partner With Us to Protect Children

A safe childhood and access to education can transform an entire generation.

UNCC welcomes collaboration with education authorities, child protection organisations, humanitarian partners, schools, healthcare professionals, donors and volunteers who share our commitment to protecting children and expanding opportunities for vulnerable learners.

Together, we can protect childhood, support young mothers and help every child realise their potential.

Protect a Child | Support a Young Mother | Partner With UNCC

Leaving No One Behind.

United Nationals Countryless Children (UNCC) — Protecting Dignity. Restoring Hope. Strengthening Communities.