Overview:
High quality, professional and holistic vocational training courses in tailoring, fashion and design, and hair and beauty, will provide 40 Ugandan marginalised youth (20 in each) with practical market-ready skills and techniques to commence their own business or obtain meaningful employment. The course will also teach business and entrepreneurship training in order for businesses to thrive. The courses are designed to a high standard to give graduates multiple competitive edges. Students are supported through graduation to finding jobs or setting up a business with a small loan – very little capital is needed to start a thriving business either from home or as a mobile business. Each participant contributes a small amount to the program to ensure they have some “skin in the game”.
Why support this:
This project follows on from three successful vocational training projects with our grassroots partner. We appreciate their hearts for disadvantaged youth and the strategic development to grow social enterprises to support their work. Students are supported through a nurturing and business-focused environment. There are very high levels of unemployment for youth in Uganda, where 80% of the population is under 25 (source: www.unfpa.org).
Budget: $35,500 for a one-year project
The Need:
Since the brutal leadership of Idi Amin in the 1970s, Uganda has suffered the devastating effects of civil war, HIV/AIDS and rebel conflict, claiming the lives of the parents of more than two million children. There are many disadvantaged families and young people as a result. Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with 75% under the age of 30. One of the biggest challenges facing youth is unemployment. Finding ways to economically empower younger people will not only help the youth but will help to develop the whole nation.
Expected Life Change:
