In an effort to create a more supportive learning environment, Ocer Campion Jesuit College in Gulu, Uganda implemented a foster parenting program aimed at bridging the gap between students and educators. The initiative supported by African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN), was undertaken in November 2024, seeks to go beyond traditional classroom teaching by fostering trust, emotional support, and mentorship between teachers and students.

The youth-led program that benefits 491 students from senior four to senior six was developed in response to the growing need for a holistic approach to education, recognizing that academic success was closely linked to emotional and psychological well-being. While mathematics, sciences, and the arts remained essential, the school emphasized that a nurturing and supportive environment was equally crucial for effective learning. Teachers participating in the initiative were encouraged to embrace their roles as parental figures, offering guidance and emotional support beyond academics.

Students, in turn, learned to confide in and trust their teachers more. For some, the foster parents became the caregivers they never had, providing them with a much-needed sense of belonging. To strengthen these relationships, foster families within the school were encouraged to meet at least twice a month. During these meetings, discussions were designed to provoke reflection and empathy, helping students relate their personal experiences to real-life scenarios presented by their mentors.

The college also conducted training sessions for foster parents, reminding them of their vital role in supporting and guiding their foster children. The program followed an Ignatian approach, emphasizing key values such as accompaniment, where foster parents were encouraged to be present in their students’ lives and meet them where they were emotionally and academically. Active listening was another essential element, creating a safe space where students felt heard and understood, fostering openness and trust. Personalized care recognized that every student was unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and challenges, requiring individualized attention. Unconditional love played a crucial role in the program, ensuring that students felt accepted, respected, and valued in an environment that nurtured their dignity. Protection and safeguarding were also emphasized, recognizing the shared responsibility of ensuring students felt safe and cared for within the school community.

Ocer Campion Jesuit College remains committed to fostering an inclusive and nurturing learning environment where students could thrive not just academically, but also socially and emotionally. Early results indicated that the program was strengthening the bonds between students and their educators while reinforcing the school’s mission of holistic education.

Par, Monica Lanyero,

AHAPPY Program Coordinator.