Hair dressing – changing lives, the story of Kababiito Donum

Kababiito Donum, a female youth in her twenties from Kahungabunyonyi, central Division in Fort Portal Tourism City, was faced with employment.  Donum completed senior four and always wanted to be a hairdresser, but her parents could not raise the funds. Being home was not easy, and she had to wait for her parents to provide everything.

Through the JESE Skillup! program, Donum enrolled in the hair dressing trade in 2023 for 8 months. “During the training, we were taught well. I learnt what interested me, we were supported with lunch and transport, and this made it very good.” Donum shared.

The Skillup approach integrates other sessions on business management, customer care, savings, makeup, and Donum is proud that she is able to do simple makeup.

“Looking at our environment, jobs are not easy to get. Hair dressing is a skill. I can work from anywhere. I can not sleep hungry because I have a skill.”

After graduation, the program participants were provided with startup kits, and Donum received a sink, 2 chairs, a trolley, and a dryer, enabling her to plan for her own enterprise. Five months later, Donum started her salon in a remote area for a year, where the rent was cheap. As the business picked up, Donum relocated to Kahungabunyonyi in Central Division, where she has also been for a year.

Donum shares that while operating her salon in the village, she would receive 1 client per week and earn about 50.000UGX.  Since moving to the town area, she sees a minimum of 5 clients and earns 100,000 per week. She has introduced a clothing business and shoes in her salon.

Within 2 years of operation, Donum has been able to invest back into the business, pay school fees for her siblings, and take care of her parents.

Donum currently employs two people who help with her business. She plans to expand her business, import braids, hair oils, and become a trainer so that she can support other young women in realising their dreams.

“I am skilled and ready. I wish JESE could give me other trainees; this would boost my business. I would have contributed to other people’s lives, and this would be very fulfilling.”

Donum calls upon other youth to embrace hair dressing and other skills, saying a skill benefits until death. No one can take it away.

 “Instead of sitting at home saying there are no jobs, take up hair dressing and improve your life.” She concluded.