Wandiika Literacy Initiative (2025)

Wandiika is a story writing competition for school children, organised by a small team of Ugandan writers. Born out of the need to nurture children’s creativity, the competition has had four successful editions: 2018, 2019, 2021-22 and 2023-2024, attracting participants from different regions.

The 2025 edition has been dedicated to refugee children in Nakivale Refugee settlement. The competition is organised in collaboration with Australian Books for Children of Africa (ABCA), Hope for Refugees Organisation, based in Nakivale, and Reliable Refugee Storytellers Association, based in Bidi-Bidi.

The rationale behind this year’s initiative is that many refugee children lack access to creative co-curricular activities, depriving them of opportunities to develop their skills just like other children. Wandiika Children’s Writing Prize 2025 provides a platform for these young learners to exercise their imagination and shape their futures through storytelling. Participation is free of charge.

This year’s entries will be judged by a team from Reliable Refugee Storytellers Association. Entries will be evaluated based on their originality and creativity. Selected stories may be considered for publication in future.

Part of the sponsorship by ABCA will be used towards financing the winning story-tellers’ school fees.

If you would like to contribute towards this initiative please make a donation at https://www.abca.org.au/donate-money and add a note mentioning that your donation is to be used for this year’s Wandiika Literacy Initiative or be in touch with us at info@abca.org.au

For more information on the Wandiika Literacy Initiative: https://www.facebook.com/wandiikainitiative/