Tusiime Oliver, a 29-year-old female from Kyembogo village, Mirambi parish, Kyembogo Sub-County, Kyenjojo district, is one of our beneficiaries in the Skill Up! program.  Implemented by Joint Effort to Save the environment-JESE with funding from Welthungerhilfe WHH and BMZ, the program aims to skill the vulnerable youth aged 18 to 30 years.

 Tusiime’s dream was to become a Nurse so that she could serve her community. Life had other plans for her. Having completed senior four, her dream felt impossible to achieve because her parents could not afford to send her to Nursing school.

The situation forced Tusiime to get married. When she got pregnant and gave birth to her daughter, her boyfriend declined to provide for and care for her and her child.

“I was home, and the Secretary, Kyarusozi, called and informed me of the opportunity under the Skill Up! program. Tusiime shared. I was encouraged to apply, and I did. Having lost my dream choice in Nursing, I looked at this as an opportunity to better myself.”   She continued.

Tusiime enrolled for the tailoring course under the Skill Up! program, and she has never looked back. She has been in the program and is already realizing changes in her life.

“With the skills acquired in tailoring, I have been able to make clothes for my child, sell some and rent a house at 20000 per month, and buy more materials to produce more clothes.  She shared; I am now able to provide basic needs for my child and me.” She added.

My message to the youth out there is not to lose hope. Always look out for opportunities. To the team behind the Skill Up! program, thank you; you have changed my life. Don’t stop with me. I have been here for three months, and I am a different person. Imagine what I will do after the six months of training.

 Female youth in Kyarusozi Sub-County are being skilled at St. John Bosco Vocation Institute, Kyenjojo district, with funding from Welthungerhilfe WHH and BMZ.

Skill up! program phase 2 is being implemented by Joint Effort to Save the Environment- JESE.  5 out of the 22 youths enrolled in the program are females who, in one way or another, had lost hope.

Coming from vulnerable homesteads, the young ladies shared how being in the tailoring program has renewed their hope, encouraging them to be intentional while the opportunity lasts.

 Not everyone gets a chance to be part of the program, as evidenced by the number of people enrolled. The process is competitive, and they consider themselves lucky.

 While interacting with the youth undertaking the tailoring trade, they shared their situation before and after. This clearly portrayed the change created in their lives since the program started.

“I was digging in the village before hearing about the opportunity. Now I am here learning so many life-changing lessons.” Shared Nyangwega.

“We have been able to sell some of our products like dresses, skirts, and uniforms.” Shared Noeline.

“At the beginning of the program, I did not know anything. With the practical skills acquired, I can run the machine,” Shared Moureen

“The leadership skills helped me gain confidence, and I now express myself better. Said Kenyange.

Their testimonies are indicative of the changes made since the program’s inception. To add value, the program incorporates life skills like Business planning, self-awareness, Life planning, and family planning, as shared by the participants.

The sales made are used to improve their living conditions, provide basic needs, and a percentage is ploughed back into buying materials.