29 Jun Every Child Counts: Meet Inaayatra
Published as part of Act4Africa’s Every Child Counts campaign, July 2026.
In the heart of Mayuge, Uganda, a four year old girl climbs onto a motorbike every morning and makes her way to school.
Her name is Inaayatra. And she is one of the brightest children at Kathy’s Kindergarten.
For many children in the UK, the early years of education are simply part of life’s rhythm — nursery, then school, then the years that follow. It is, for most, an unquestioned given. But in Uganda, where nearly half of all children never complete primary school (UNESCO, 2024), access to quality early years education is far from guaranteed. The foundations laid in those first few years — or missed entirely — can shape the entire course of a child’s life.
This is why Kathy’s Kindergarten exists. And this is why Inaayatra’s story matters.
A family built on resilience
Inaayatra comes from a small, hardworking family of three. Her parents are small business owners — people who, like so many across Uganda, begin each day with determination and a deep commitment to their children’s future. Theirs is a story of resilience and love, and those values are already clearly reflected in their daughter.
Every morning, the family makes a deliberate choice. Rather than keeping Inaayatra at home, as many families in the region feel they have no option but to do, her parents put her on a boda boda — a motorbike taxi common in Ugandan communities — and send her to school. It is a daily act of commitment. A daily statement that their daughter’s education matters.
A classroom where she shines
Walk into Inaayatra’s classroom at Kathy’s Kindergarten and it doesn’t take long to notice her.
Her teachers describe her as exceptionally bright, quick to grasp new concepts, and eager to participate. She is attentive, confident, and — perhaps most remarkably for a child of four — she has a presence that inspires those around her. She is not just learning. She is thriving.
Inaayatra is also part of a family legacy at Kathy’s. Two years ago, her brother walked through the same doors. His journey through the kindergarten laid a foundation — and now Inaayatra is writing her own chapter. One filled, her teachers say, with curiosity, excellence, and extraordinary promise.
Why early years education changes everything
Kathy’s Kindergarten was founded in 2018 in memory of Act4Africa’s late co-founder, Kathy Smedley, whose belief that every child deserves a meaningful start in life remains at the heart of everything the school does. For children aged 3–6, it provides a safe, nurturing environment where learning and personal development go hand in hand.
In a region where early years provision is scarce and primary school completion rates remain deeply troubling, the work happening inside Kathy’s walls is critical. Children who access quality early education are significantly more likely to progress through school, develop stronger social skills, and build the confidence to reach their potential. For children like Inaayatra, it is not just a classroom. It is a launchpad.
How you can help
This July, Act4Africa’s Every Child Counts campaign is raising awareness and funds for Kathy’s Kindergarten. We are not just asking people to learn about the school — we are asking them to help sustain it.
Inaayatra arrives at school every morning ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to shine. All she needs is for the world to keep showing up for her.
Your donation — however large or small — goes directly towards supporting the children and families at Kathy’s Kindergarten. It keeps the doors open. It keeps the teachers in the classroom. It keeps children like Inaayatra on that motorbike every morning, heading somewhere that believes in them.
To donate to Every Child Counts, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/a4aeverychildcounts. To find out more about Act4Africa and our work in Uganda, visit https://act4africa.org
