The Brian Mutebi Dream Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to girls at-risk of child marriage, survivors of violence, and orphans in primary and secondary schools. We pay particular attention to girls because, despite the gains over the last two decades, significant barriers such as poverty, early marriages, cultural and social practices, gender biases, and unsafe or unwelcoming learning environments continue to inhibit girls from enrolling in school at all levels and reaching pivotal learning milestones. In Uganda, one in four girls aged 15-19 is either pregnant or had a baby. Only one in 10 is able to return to school after giving birth but married underage where they face risks of domestic violence. The scholarships bestow upon them a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
The Fund also runs an apprenticeship program for out-of-school girls who are former child brides or at risk of being married off underage. They are enrolled in apprenticeship training in mechanical and electrical engineering, media, fashions and tailoring, and hairdressing among others, to equip them with valuable, employable skills. The apprenticeship training is also aimed at breaking the stigma around girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).