Uganda: Vocational Training and Tailoring Shop Program

59 Students Graduate with Skills Training: March 2017

April 09, 2017

Daniel Wakibi

Summary of Activities

Today, March 23rd, 2017, Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) joined with the communities of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement and the neighboring area of Bweyale to celebrate with PVTI’s graduating class upon their successful completion of our three-month skills training program. The students graduated with a certificate in one of four fields:

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

In our Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Department, a total of 17 students graduated, and the Carpentry and Joinery Department had 12 students graduate. In Bricklaying and Concrete Practice, 14 students graduated, and in Tailoring and Garment Cutting, 16 students graduated.

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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PVTI Principal’s Speech

Celebrating Great Accomplishments

PVTI Principal Ms. Teddy Nakyagaba read out the names of the students that had graduated from each department, with sounds of happiness coming from the audience as the graduates celebrated with music and with a lot of smiles for what they had attained throughout the three-month program.

The principal thanked RMF’s instructors for being selfless and sharing their knowledge, which has enabled the students to graduate. It was also moving when she thanked RMF’s CEO Dr. Martina Fuchs for having created a platform where people’s lives can be changed through skills development, as well as the financial and material support that comes from her office.

RWCIII Representative’s Speech

Empowering Self-Driven Communities

The chairman of the Refugee Welfare Council (RWCIII) advised graduates not to yearn for the startup kits, but to move forward with what they have already attained: the knowledge whereby they can start on their own since they have the skills and knowledge that can make a difference in their lives. He shared with them his life situation of being a beggar in Kampala because he didn’t have any skills to do any work, but since he got the skills, he has not failed to earn what he wanted up to this day. Therefore, he encouraged the refugee community to be self-driven in making sure that they are at the center stage of making a difference in their lives, rather than waiting for other people.

UNHCR Representative’s Speech

Many Agencies Partner Together

The guest of honor was the UNHCR representative. The representative shared with us how his agency is working around the clock to see that they can help on the issue of startup kits and also expand vocational training, but he said it’s a policy issue and the funds are not available as of yet, since they have been in emergency mode. He informed the gathering of how many partners have invested in skills training in the host community and also in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, and he gave examples of agencies like Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC), Save the Children, and UNHCR itself.

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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

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Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

59 Students