High levels of poverty, armed conflicts and other emergencies create insurmountable challenges for education achievement . Low school enrollment, low attendance and high drop out rate is the consequence. Children from the poorest households are four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richer households. Disparities between rural and urban areas also remain high.
Mwingirwa was in kindergarten when his mother suddenly died. His aging grandmother took care of him but finding food and and school supplies was a struggle for the family. When the grandmother fell ill, they sold all the livestock to pay the medical bills. It was not clear how Mwringirwa would find food or afford to stay in school. UPENDO helped with a goat that has multiplied and the family is now able to sell some goats to buy food and meet other needs. Mwingirwa is now in school and hopes to become a doctor.