89 WVU sponsored youth graduate in vocational studies
89 WVU sponsored youth graduate in vocational studies
By Moses Mukitale, Communications Officer
89 youths from Nakawa and Makindye divisions in Kampala district have graduated in various vocational disciplines with support from World Vision Uganda.
The youth, comprising of former primary and secondary school drop outs graduated from Lugogo vocational training institute, with certificates in catering, hair dressing, electronics, plumbing, electrical installation, painting and decoration, motor vehicle mechanics and concrete practice.
The 89 youth have been supported under a World Vision Uganda urban-based youth livelihood project code named UPLIFT, whose goal is to improve the quality of life for vulnerable young people in Nakawa and Makindye division.
The project, which runs until 2018 is funded by Australian Aid and works in conjunction with Kampala capital city authority to identify and empower vulnerable youth in the two divisions.
Barbara Mirembe, the project coordinator says the youth are trained for 4 months and attached to numerous institutions for industrial training.
‘’This is the first lot to graduate under the scheme and as World Vision we are glad to see how successful it has been. All these youth are given an opportunity to select a life skill of their choice. As an organization, we meet all their tuition fees and buy all the tools needed for study’’ Says Barbara Mirembe
World Vision, in partnership with Vision Fund will accordingly provide start-up tools for the youth. The youth will either form groups or make individual requests of the tools they need, after which the tools will be supplied.
24-year-old Ndibasaliza Shifa is one lucky beneciary under the scheme whose future had turned bleak after failing to make it to university.
‘’I had lost hope because my family had no money to take me to university. I sat home after form 6 and begun looking around for odd jobs but in vain. Today am working as a chef and I get paid some good money. My plan now is to start a private catering firm. I have all the skills and experience needed. My capital is in my head’’ Shifa tells me.
Shifa majored in catering and right now works with a hotel in Kampala, as a chef and restaurant manager respectively. She is one of the very many youths whose lives have tremendously been transformed by the project.
World Vision has enrolled 300 other youths from Makindye and Nakawa division who are also going to receive skills training in various disciplines of their choice. Outside vocational skilling, World Vision is also empowering youth with skills in financial literacy and saving.
More than 20 youth savings groups have been formed in the two divisions of Makindye and Nakawa. From these savings groups, several youths get loans, which they use to start up small businesses.
The four main objectives of the UPLIFT project are:
-To increase employment opportunities for young people aged 13-25 years
-To increase accessibility to sexual reproductive health and rights services among 3500 youths
-To increase protection against abuse and exploitation of young people
-To increase the level of civic awareness among youth in development and governance