Parental Dialogue Campaign in Oyam Sparks Positive Transformation in Households
Kandi Alum, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) officer at FICH, said the dialogue aimed to raise awareness about the importance of nurturing problem-solving skills in children and to promote collaboration between families, communities, and schools.
Sixty parents in Oyam District who took part in a 10-week dialogue campaign aimed at enhancing problem-solving skills among adolescents aged 13–17 have reported transformative changes in their households. The initiative, spearheaded by the Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH) in collaboration with Uwezo Uganda and the ALIVE consortium, ran from May to July 2025. It engaged parents from Akongatar Village in Iceme Sub-County (rural) and Nursing Quarter in Oyam Town Council (urban).
Participants said the campaign strengthened family bonds, improved communication, and deepened character growth among both parents and children. A 2020–2022 assessment by Uwezo Uganda and Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALIVE) found that while adolescents aged 13–17 showed strengths in collaboration, self-awareness, and respect, their problem-solving skills remained notably low.
Kandi Alum, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) officer at FICH, said the dialogue aimed to raise awareness about the importance of nurturing problem-solving skills in children and to promote collaboration between families, communities, and schools.
Rev. Robert Ediga, the Vicar of Oyam Archdeaconry, who attended the campaign sessions, emphasized the need for open communication between parents and children. He said that curiosity fosters confidence and critical thinking.
Translation: “A topic that touches me is letting children feel free to ask questions—it builds their confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities. Yet many parents struggle to respond effectively. The dialogue campaign is a crucial step toward bridging this gap, encouraging open communication between parents and children. By creating a supportive environment, parents can strengthen their children’s ability to face challenges and become critical thinkers.” Kevin Akello, a parent from Akongatar B Village in Iceme Sub-County, said the campaign reshaped her family dynamic. Previously, her husband believed only mothers should guide daughters, but he has since become more involved in nurturing the children. She said their children—once undisciplined—are now thriving under a more united and peaceful home.
Bosco Obong, also from Akongatar B Village, shared that after one of his wives attended the campaign, discipline and mutual respect were restored among their children and co-wives.
Emmanuel Oleke, a teacher at Anyeke Primary School in Oyam Town Council, said the dialogue campaign refreshed his professional skills and helped him better manage pupil conflicts and improve collaboration with families.
Research consistently shows that lack of parental guidance and life skills contributes to adolescent school dropouts. Contributing factors include poor academic performance, early pregnancy, poverty, failure to cope with school life, absence of role models, early employment, drug abuse, and lack of social coping mechanisms.
