Weekly Parenting Sessions with Parents & Guardians

RIDE-AFRICAfacilitated CBFs to train 224 (92 m,132f) parents from 10 parenting groups through weekly learning sessions to strengthen their parenting skills and practices. The sessions were facilitated by 2 CBFs per group who started each session with objectives, introduced the day’s session and activities, and finalized with homework.

Some of the sessions were single sex to enable parents to openly discuss for effective participation and disclose silent negative practices for effective learning. As a result of the parenting sessions, parents and caregivers reported improved skills in parenting and spousal relationships which ultimately led to reduced practices of violence against children such as verbal abuse, reduced corporal punishments and there is increased use of alternative forms of disciplining children.

Further, children have improved discipline at home, and are free and confident to communicate with parents without fear. During monitoring, one of the parents named Bainenaama Joyce shared that “their relationship improved, and the positive changes became evident in their child Mercy whose academic performance improved. The family atmosphere became more pleasant, allowing the child to feel secure, emotionally supported, and happier.

Teachers and relatives also observed the changes, praising how stable the child had become.” Participating parents and caregivers have reported the ability to practice positive discipline measures such as calmly talking to the children and, providing guidance, and concrete examples, and using enriching and productive practical work to instill discipline. The married spouses reported an improvement in communication and a reduction of violence at home.

Spouses can now actively listen to each other, complement each other and provide feedback with respect, make collective decisions about issues required in their homes, joint caregiving among parents, closer and more friendly with their children which has enabled children speak out on violence, share their opinions confidently, practice good morals with passion.

Location: Kanyalango 1 and 2 Villages