For the last few years, to intensify compassion for the less fortunate during Ramadhan, the Ismaili community has either run a food drive when food items have been distributed to the marginalised group of Muslims in Kampala or have hosted Iftar at the Kibuli Mosque.
Our community has regular engagement with the Kibuli Community, whereby we host very successful health clinics for this group. The goal of these health camp's is to educate and encourage the targeted community to employ hygienic practices in their daily lifestyle and get regular checkups as preventative measures. Free medication is also provided at these camps.
It was felt that this year for Iftar Dinner held in the Diamond Jubilee year, we should also sensitise the community on the importance of early education and therefore videos of Aga Khan Foundation’s work on Early Childhood Education were shown to the gathering.
Shafique Ssekelala, the Program Director of Aga Khan Foundation’s Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP) was happy to assist and said that “it is important that the impact of Early Childhood Education is understood as it presents an incredible opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and open up new opportunities for the marginalized groups in Uganda. Investment in early childhood development has far-reaching lifelong returns.”
Over 800 teachers have graduated with certificates under the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme in Uganda, and this programme run by the Aga Khan Development Network aims to improve the quality of education offering professional training to teachers and ECCE caregivers.
Minaz Jamal, President of the National Council in Uganda commented that, "This year’s event was attended by over 320 and we work with the Kibuli community regularly as our association with them goes back many decades, and this year other than the serving of the Iftar meal, we considered it important to share knowledge with our brothers at Kibuli, on the importance of education as the key non-school factor that influences learning outcomes, is the parental and community participation in children’s learning.
Intervention at an early age is powerful and generates immense benefits to individual children and families. The Parents and others need to be mindful that children who benefit from these early skills and experiences are more likely to enroll on time, stay in school and perform well. In the long run, Early Childhood Education reduces class repetition, school dropouts and increases efficiency in education and ultimately becomes an asset for the country."
It was also so heartwarming to see young Scouts and Guides from our community participating and assisting with Iftaar at Kibuli. This engagement from the Youth is evidence that the community is blessed with wonderful voluntary resources, who have the will and the skills, to step up to the challenge and provide voluntary support, and help at these events when something needs to be addressed and at an early age understand that contributing to civil society is part and parcel of Ismaili faith.
