Uniforms, bicycles and dignity: keeping rural students in school
How free and subsidized uniforms, bicycles and sanitary pads help rural girls and boys stay in school and learn with confidence.
In rural areas, poor parents struggle to pay school fees and buy school uniforms for their children.
As a result, many students are unable to transition to high school because of the high cost of school uniforms. Others go to school in torn uniforms and plastic shoes, which greatly reduces their self-esteem and confidence. In addition, many rural girls miss school because they lack menstrual hygiene supplies.
Removing the barriers
The Riley Orton Foundation partners with local public and community schools to remove these barriers. We give free and subsidized school uniforms and bicycles to disadvantaged rural boys and girls, increasing school enrollment and retention and ensuring educational advancement among learners.
What changes for students
This program supports the full transition of rural students from primary to junior and senior secondary school, and improves retention.
Parents use the money saved on school uniforms and transport to pay for school fees and school lunch programs.
Academic performance improves too. Students cycle to and from school on time, gain the confidence to consult their teachers, and concentrate on their studies without worrying about uniforms and fees.
Health and dignity
Our school uniform distribution events also include sexual and reproductive health and rights education, HIV/AIDS awareness, and psychosocial counseling workshops, along with free sanitary pads and underwear for vulnerable students.
ROF is committed to helping halt the spread of HIV, working toward zero new infections, through well-targeted education that reaches the high school girls and boys most at risk.
