Uganda: Vocational Training and Tailoring Shop Program

227 Trainees Enrolled This Year: Q4 2018

February 19, 2019

Naku Charles Lwanga

Summary of Activities
  • Visitors from the University of Portsmouth donated uniforms to PVTI, which enables the institute to conduct co-curriculum activities.
  • For the first time in the history of the PVTI, we were privileged to participate as an independent entity in the Open Refugee Market held by UNHCR in Kampala alongside other livelihood partners.
  • During 2018, three trainee orientations were conducted for the three trainee intakes. The orientations took place on January 15, 2018, May 22, 2018, and September 17, 2018.
  • Throughout 2018, we succeeded in registering all of our trainees for the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) Examination. This enables our students to receive certificates as evidence of their vocational training in order for them to ably practice their trade. We registered a total of 227 trainees for these examinations, which were held at the end of every training period.
  • PVTI is providing solutions for economic recovery to numerous refugee youth.
  • About 30% of the students at PVTI are Ugandan nationals from the host community. Thus, members of the host community have also been able to gain skills that have empowered them to improve their livelihoods, hence contributing to the wellbeing and GDP of the country.
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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

RMF Continues Support of PVTI’s Programs

227 Trainees Enrolled in 2018

In 2018, 227 trainees were enrolled in PVTI’s four vocational programs: 47 in the Bricklaying and Concrete Practice (BCP) department, 73 in the Tailoring and Garment Cutting (TGC) department, 75 in the Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (HBT) department, and 32 in the Carpentry and Joinery (CJ) department.

 

 

 

 

Sustaining Ongoing Education

Continuous Classes Available

This quarter, RMF sustained the education of new trainees by offering classes continuously throughout the reporting period and ensuring that trainers were available and accessible to trainees. This was made possible thanks to RMF and WCF’s constant supply of consumables for the trainees as well as technical support provided to the administrative staff.

Preparing for DIT Exams

Additional Support Given to Students

This quarter, RMF successfully prepared the trainees for the DIT examinations and supported them up until their graduation dates. Starting from the previous reporting period, we have given trainees special additional instruction to prepare for this examination.

Throughout 2018, we succeeded in registering all of our trainees for the DIT Examination.

Open Refugee Market

Trainees Represent the Program

From December 13–16, 2018, PVTI and its beneficiaries were privileged to participate in the annual Open Refugee Market in Kampala at Kira Road Police Station Grounds. Some of PVTI’s outstanding trainees represented the institute among participants from other refugee settlements. Trainees Juma Botu and Mwaka Simon both represented our Tailoring and Garment Cutting department.

 

Graduation Ceremonies

September and December 2018

The functions were attended by many representatives and guests. During the ceremonies, speeches were made, the trainees entertained the guests, and certificates were awarded. Guests also received tours of the graduation exhibition which featured finished products made by the graduates.

PVTI Welcomes Visitors

October 2018

PVTI was honored to host visitors from World Children’s Fund, University of Portsmouth, and Self Help Africa. During the visits, our coordinator updated the team about PVTI’s achievements and challenges and proposed an intervention. The delegates showed appreciation for RMF’s efforts towards skilling the refugees and supporting them in becoming self-reliant.

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Background

& Objectives

Background

In April 2011, RMF initiated the Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement after being presented by the refugee community with issues surrounding the lack of skills and vocational training for students graduating from the settlement high school.
After researching which skills would provide the quickest earning opportunities and the most efficient economic investment requirements for RMF, we narrowed the programs down to:

  • Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
  • Bricklaying and Concrete Practice
  • Carpentry and Joinery
  • Tailoring and Garment Cutting

Objectives

  • To train the refugees with relevant vocational training skills
  • To prepare the refugees for the work world with entrepreneurial skills for both employment and self-employment
  • To prepare refugees with basic skills that they shall use for nation building when returning to their home country
  • To foster a cycle of improved economic stability and opportunity in the region
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More

Photos

Click to enlarge

Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Success

Stories

Angelo Darazo using the skills he acquired during his training at PVTI

Angelo Darazo

2015 PVTI Graduate

Angelo Darazo graduated from PVTI in 2015. He told the follow-up team, “I am so grateful to be one of the graduates of Tailoring and Garment Cutting at PVTI. I appreciate RMF for the effort they are making to equip us with these kinds of skills. The skills that I have acquired have made me so proud, as they have made me self-reliant and able to make money from my daily business of tailoring. This has helped me support my family very well and meet some of my personal challenges.”

John Kennedy putting his vocational training in Carpentry and Joinery to use

John Kennedy

2018 PVTI Graduate

John Kennedy graduated from PVTI’s Carpentry and Joinery department in 2018. He said he is thankful to RMF for equipping him with his vocational skills. John told the follow-up team, “I am able to make chairs, tables, and beds which has helped me a lot in raising money to support my family.”