Children's welfare
Keep children in school
Fees, uniforms and supplies for children about to drop out.
Illustrative photo: TopSphere Media / Unsplash
Objective for the 2026 funding round
Stop 400 children at risk of dropping out from leaving school this year, and raise their attendance above 90%.
Who it reaches: Children flagged by teachers as missing class because of fees, hunger, work at home or lack of uniform.
Target$45,203
Funding for this cause closes in
From $50: exercise books, pens and school bags for two pupils.
The need
Primary school is often free in name, but exam fees, uniforms and books are not. Girls are usually the first to be kept home when money is short, and once out, few return.
Why give to this cause
- The cost that keeps a child out of school is often small: an exam fee, a uniform or a pair of shoes.
- Once a child leaves school, very few return. Acting before they drop out matters most.
- Every payment goes straight to the school or supplier, so the money cannot be diverted.
What your gift does
- $50exercise books, pens and school bags for two pupils
- $120uniforms and shoes for two pupils
- $180a year of fees and exam costs for one pupil
Where your donation goes
The planned budget for this cause. Every quarter, the field report shows what was actually spent against each line.
- Fees and exam costsPaid directly to the school, never in cash to families.40%$48 of $120
- Uniforms, shoes and suppliesA child without a uniform is often sent home.25%$30 of $120
- Attendance mentorsCommunity mentors who visit families when a child misses three days.17%$20 of $120
- Sanitary kits for girlsSo girls don't miss a week of school every month.10%$12 of $120
- Monitoring and reportingAttendance registers checked each term by our field staff.8%$10 of $120
How we do it
- 1
Head teachers flag pupils at risk of dropping out for money reasons.
- 2
We pay costs directly to the school or supplier, never cash to intermediaries.
- 3
Attendance and results are tracked each term.
- 4
Families are linked to income programmes so support can taper off.
The impact your gift will have
- Children who were about to drop out complete the school year and sit their exams.
- Girls in particular stay in school longer, which delays early marriage and widens their choices as adults.
- Families are linked to income programmes, so they can pay the costs themselves in later years.
What we measure and report
Targets for the 2026 funding round. Results against each one are published in the quarterly field report sent to every donor to this cause.
| Measure | Target |
|---|---|
| Pupils kept in school | 400 |
| Share who are girls | 60% |
| Term-to-term retention | 95% |
| Pupils completing the school year | 92% |
Join in the cause today
Make an impactful change in Africa.
Donate to keep children in schoolFund keep children in school
Your gift goes to this programme. You'll get an email receipt now and the field report every quarter.
Funding for this cause closes in
Choose an amount
- $50exercise books, pens and school bags for two pupils
- $120uniforms and shoes for two pupils
- $180a year of fees and exam costs for one pupil
Gifts start at $50. Choose your own amount on the next page.
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$75 a term of school lunches for one child.
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Children's welfareChild sponsorship
Monthly support for one child's schooling, health and meals, with updates.
$78 two months of sponsorship.
Target$133,616
DonateQuestions donors ask
Does my gift go to the cause I choose?
Yes. A gift to a named cause is recorded against that cause and spent on that programme. If a cause becomes fully funded, we use extra gifts for the next round of the same programme, and tell you in the report.
How will I know what my gift did?
You get an email receipt straight away, and a field report on your cause every quarter, with what was delivered, where, and the results measured against the targets listed on each cause page.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
In the United States, yes: GiveToAfrica is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 27-3982730) and your email receipt is valid for your tax return. In other countries, deductibility depends on local rules.
Which payment methods can I use?
Card or M-Pesa through Paystack (charged in US dollars), or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and more than 100 other coins) through NOWPayments. With crypto you can choose your gift amount in US dollars, pounds, euros, Australian or Canadian dollars and pay the equivalent in the coin of your choice. No crypto wallet? You can buy Bitcoin in PayPal or Cash App (PayPal also offers Ethereum and other coins) and send it straight from the app.
Can my company match my gift?
Many employers match their staff's donations. Add your employer's name when you give and we will send the paperwork. Companies can also give directly or sponsor a whole project on our company giving page.