Provide words of encouragement! Remind your child

that they have potential to perform well in school and

that you look forward to receiving good school reports.

Greet their family. In Uganda it is customary to do so.

Send photos of you and your family or colorful

postcards of the landscape or animals of your state.

Introduce your child to all members of your family.

Talk about concrete things, such as family, work, food

and the weather.

Talk about your neighborhood: children playing,

stores, fields, busy roads.

Describe the seasons: Your child lives on the equator,

so all he/she is familiar with is the wet season or the

dry season.

Many children work in gardens, so your child may be

interested in hearing about your garden.

Remind your child that you are praying for him or her!

This is a reminder that you care.

2.4m of the 17.1m children are orphans

The proportion of orphaned children increased from

11.5 percent in 1999/2000 to 14.3 percent in 2009/2010

At least one in every four households in Uganda has an orphan

32,130 children between 10-17 years are heading households

About 105,000 under 14 are HIV positive

Nearly 10,000 Ugandan children live on the streets.

*Daily Monitor July 14, 2011.