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Atuheire confronts electrical engineering, a field dominated by men in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 01/03/2024
Although the government is promoting the teaching of sciences in schools to ignite innovations and development, available statistics indicate that more boys than girls have embraced this call.The false belief that girls are only good at subjects labelled as soft such as English and other arts has discouraged some girls from pursuing these subjects even when they are capable of excelling. Girls too can excel in the science world.Atuheire Gift, 27, an electrician at Steel and Tube Industries Limited, located in Namanve Industrial Park in Mukono is a testimony that girls can equally excel in sciences.Atuheire is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from Kabale University in Kabale District. She is attached to the maintenance department of Steel Roll Limited located in Namanve Industrial Park. She maintains and repairs transformers and motors. Motors are used to run the machines in the factory.“I determine whether it is in the right state or not. Those that have issues are repaired immediately to avoid breaking down,” Atuheire says.At first Atuheire wanted to be a teacher. She admired a particular teacher while at Mary Hill Secondary School in Mbarara so she wanted to be like her. She says the teacher was articulate and always dressed to kill. She, however, later on discovered that teachers go through so many challenges including merger pay hence the decision to switch her focus to Electrical Engineering. She says the Work Readiness programme has exposed her to the world of work.According to Atuheire, her life will never remain the same since she has what it takes to accomplish any task assigned to her.
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Saving lives through quality control in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 01/03/2024
Catherine Asaba Mbigidde,24, works as a Chemical Analyst at Chemiphar Uganda Limited, an analytical laboratory and inspection company located in Kansanga, a Kampala suburb.Asaba spends most of the time in the laboratory analysing the composition of different parameters found in samples of products brought to the company for analysis to ensure that they meet the set standards.The company covers a wide range of products including seed testing, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics as well as food and beverages.Despite being a graduate of Food Science and Technology from Uganda Christian University, Asaba confesses she knew little about the practical aspect of chemical analysis, since there was limited exposure at university.According to her, the Work Readiness Programme enabled her to get a detailed grasp of the topics she studied while at university.“I have learnt a lot of technical skills. When I came in at first, I didn’t know much about the lab. Yes, I did Chemistry, but it was at a different level. The work I do here is about working with samples. We did practicals at university, but there were not so many because most of the laboratories were not well equipped,” she says.Asaba says that by the time she left university, she was only familiar with analysing moisture, protein, fats and ash.She has since expanded her expertise to cover more areas including water analysis.“When you don’t have the practical bit of it, then you will not be able to work because it will be hard for you to relate what you learnt to what happens in the real world. Different samples of products are brought here, and we test them for different parameters,” she says.She says that for foods and beverages, they look out for parameters such as starch, carbohydrates, proteins and also establish the composition of those components.Asaba says there is a limit for each component found in food or juice and that these parameters must be in line with the set standards before the Uganda National Bureau of Standards allows it to go on the market.Each country has its own limit and in Uganda, this mandate is implemented by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. She says that taking shortcuts, or employing non-professionals is likely to compromise the quality of products which may affect the health of consumers and the country’s economy, as substandard exports will be rejected by some countries.“Our milk and maize have been rejected by Kenya due to quality issues. We still have a long way to go,” she says.Apart from the technical aspect, Asaba says the training enabled her to acquire better communication skills, sticking to work ethics and being able to handle emotions at work.Like most focused youthful employees, Asaba plans to enroll for a master’s programme in Food Science.“We have learnt what is required of us in the real world of work. We have also been exposed to people who can help us to grow career wise,” Asaba says.
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New hope arises for the inhabitants of Idugo Island in Mozambique, thanks to a solar powered grid
Alfredo MANDLATE | 23/02/2024
A major transformation will improve the quality of the life of the residentsLocated 72 kilometers from the village of Mocubela, a major transformation is taking place on the island of Idugo. The construction of the solar-powered mini grid will bring significant changes to the community and brighten the future of all residents by providing access to electricity on the island. This initiative is a crucial step towards improving the quality of life of the island's residents and boosting sustainable development in Idugo. For decades, more than 13,000 residents of Idugo (less than 10% have access to energy through small solar panels and batteries) faced major challenges related to electricity on the island. The lack of electricity limits progress and significantly affects the community's quality of life. Idugo is a fishing community. Currently, to preserve fish, residents need to travel to Pebane to buy ice, which is an hour away by boat and involves high costs. Additionally, health centers and schools on the island have limited operations once it gets dark. This fact makes the community leader of the island of Idugo, Mr. Felisberto Veloso, unhappy, he tells how hard it is to live on an island without electricity and what implications this brings to day-to-day life : “The population of the island of Idugo is composed of mostly fishermen and life becomes very complicated without energy, as we cannot store the fresh fish. To prevent the fish from spoiling, some are salting it and others are drying the fish in the sun. At the schools, we don't have night shifts and in hospitals, they use small battery-powered lamps, which makes night births very difficult and dangerous. Part of the population ends up leaving the island to build and live outside the island, in Pebane, Gurai, Tapata, and Mocubela.” This situation highlights the critical importance of access to electricity and how the lack of it impacts many aspects of daily life. The search for sustainable and affordable solutions to meet this need is fundamental to improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of Idugo. With the support of the Government of Mozambique (through the Energy Fund- FUNAE) and Belgium (through the development agency Enabel), a solar-powered mini grid is being built on the island to the relief and joy of the local population. This is a plant with a capacity of 230 kWp and 1330 kWh of storage, supplying energy to a distribution network with an extension of 4.2KM of medium voltage and 45KM of low voltage, and it will connect 1125 homes, commercial establishments, health facilities, schools, administrative building, churches and ensure public lighting for 200 public lamps in the 3 neighbourhoods of the island. A DREAM ABOUT TO COME TRUE! Since the start of the works in September 2022, the construction of the Idugo mini grid has been a constant challenge. The island of Idugo is only accessible by boat from Gurai (Bajone, Mocubela district) or Pebane. Furthermore, the rainy season significantly limits the possibilities for progressing the work. The absence of a pier for docking and unloading heavy equipment, such as generators and transformers, makes the construction of this mini grid extra challenging compared to the other mini grids under construction in Zambézia and Nampula Provinces. Currently, the works are progressing at a good pace, and the contractor (the ENERSOL/AZIMUT360 consortium with Mozambican subcontractor Tecnel) already has completed the construction of the plant and the battery house. This noticeable progress fills the local community with hope because it envisions the possibility of having finally electricity on their island and symbolizes the opportunity to further develop the island. February 1st will be remembered by all Idugo islanders, as well as for the team involved in the construction of the mini grid. That was the day the first posts of the distribution grid were erected. According to the Intervention Officer of the project, Arn Jonkers, “the installation of the first pole is a very important milestone for the project, since the construction of the distribution network is part of the mini grid construction that requires the most time. Idugo is only accessible via boat, which means that a mini grid and/or individual solar systems are the only options for the population to access energy. Furthermore, being a fishing community, they need energy to conserve fish, making access to electricity an significant catalyst for development on the island. So, Idugo is a classic example of productive use of energy in a mini grid”. With the ongoing installation of the mini grid, the island's residents can already dream about the big changes the mini grid can bring to their lives. What was almost impossible is now close to being a reality for residents. The community leader, Mr Felisberto Veloso, confirms this fact by saying, “years ago I could never have imagined that we could have energy, but now with the installation of the poles, the entire population already believes that they will actually be able to have energy. We hope to see changes on our island, we hope to finally see development arrive.” The development that the community leader talks about is centred on concrete points as he presents it to us, “for our schools, they could have night shift and this will mean that we will have more classes and more people studying in 2025, there are people who want to study, but it can only be at night. In the hospital, we will be able to have safe births at night. We already have residents who are building conventional houses and many of them have already given up on the idea of leaving the island because they know that development has already arrived. We have 3 markets and the stalls (stores) are increasing, many have already bought freezers, televisions and are just waiting for the power to be turned on”. The works are not yet finished, but it is with great satisfaction that we look at the enthusiasm that the community shows. The mini grid is more than cables, batteries, and solar panels, it is the promise of a better future for the Idugo Island community.The Idugo mini grid will provide clean and sustainable energy, boosting economic development and improving quality of life.
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Visite d'échange entre la Mauritanie et le Sénégal pour nos Conseillers sécurité
Aminata KANE | 23/02/2024
Une rencontre où l'échange d'informations et d'expériences était au cœur de l'objectif.Une visite régionale de notre Conseiller sécurité avec son homologue du Sénégal s'est déroulée dernièrement. Elle s'inscrit dans le cadre du Programme Régional d'Appui au Développement de l'Économie Pastorale (PRADEP). Les objectifs principaux de la mission visaient la révision des documents de sécurité du Sénégal, l'analyse des zones d'intervention, et l'harmonisation des normes de sécurité. Cette rencontre a également permis d'explorer et de collecter des informations sur la situation sécuritaire locale, d'identifier les risques, d'échanger avec les forces de défense et d'analyser de manière approfondie la sécurité dans la zone du projet. La récente visite régionale de notre Conseiller sécurité et de son homologue sénégalais, s'est avérée être bien plus qu'une simple mission de travail. C'était une rencontre avec des résultats tangibles où l'échange d'informations et d'expériences était au cœur de l'objectif. La collaboration fructueuse entre les deux collègues a permis d'atteindre les objectifs fixés. Une rencontre qui n'a pas seulement renforcé les compétences et pratiques des deux Conseillers sécurité, mais qui a aussi mis en lumière l'engagement commun envers l'amélioration continue.
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Témoignages inspirants d'acteurs pour une agriculture durable en Mauritanie
Aminata KANE | 21/02/2024
Rétrospective d'actions porteuses ayant un impact visible sur les communautés du sud mauritanien.Le programme RIMFIL d'Enabel pour la promotion du développement de filières agricoles et pastorales durables en Mauritanie, avance à grands pas grâce au travail acharné des collègues et des partenaires. Afin de mettre en lumière les différents résultats, nous partageons différents témoignages d'agropasteurs qui ont bénéficié du soutien des experts d'Enabel sur le terrain. Le programme poursuit deux objectifs distincts : A - Des productions familiales et communautaires durables sont consommées, transformées localement ou commercialisées.B - Des techniques adaptées au changement climatique sont promues.Le premier résultat escompté est que des filières agro-sylvopastorales soient mieux structurées, ainsi que les compétences organisationnelles et techniques des acteurs de ces filières soient améliorées. Dans ce cadre, chacune des 4 régions cibles (Assaba, les 2 Hodhs et le Guidimakha) a profité d'une formation pour 30 facilitateurs pastoraux, agricoles, qui à leur tour, formeront ensuite leurs pairs producteurs dans leurs zones de production. Les formations visaient l'acquisition de techniques pratiques pour les agropasteurs. Premier témoignage : le consultant Bocar Sow nous parle plus en détails de la formation.« J’ai été recruté par Enabel dans le cadre du projet RIMFIL pour mettre en place des champs-écoles agropastoraux. Il s’agit d’une démarche d’appui-conseil basée sur la démonstration, la pratique et l’expérimentation. À cet effet, depuis bientôt 3 ans, nous sommes présents dans 4 régions. Nous avons démarré par une première session à Guérou, puis Timbédra ; pour la deuxième année à Gouraye et à Tintane. Pour cette troisième année, la formation a été donnée à Djigueni et Kankossa dans le but d’améliorer la production laitière. Les 25 à 30 facilitateurs formés, par session, ont chacun un groupe de contacts et de pairs, qui à leur tour à travers ces facilitateurs, bénéficient également de cette formation, qui se trouve ainsi démultipliée, lorsque chaque facilitateur retourne chez lui ». Lors des ateliers pratiques, les facilitateurs ont appris l'empaquetage du maralfalfa (ou néma, une plante fourragère), la production d'un pesticide naturel, l'identification et le traitement des vaches atteintes de nématodes (vers ronds parasites).C'est ensuite le tour de Demba Barry, auxiliaire vétérinaire et facilitateur à Kankossa en Assaba pour un deuxième témoignage : « On a été formé à la vaccination des vaches atteintes de certaines maladies chroniques, notamment pendant l’hivernage. Il s’agissait de savoir observer les symptômes des infestations par les nématodes gastro-intestinaux pulmonaires, les acariens et les larves de diptère, des ovins, de les reconnaitre pour enfin vacciner les vaches ».Le second résultat escompté du programme est que les infrastructures et les équipements de collecte, de transformation, de conditionnement et de promotion/vente de produits agro-sylvo-pastoraux soient réhabilités et/ou créés. Bonne nouvelle, la coopérative de femmes de transformation de lait de Kiffa a bénéficié de cette réhabilitation. Pour ce troisième témoignage, découvrons Mme Tabarah Mint Ahmed, présidente de la laiterie de Kiffa qui remercie Enabel pour l’appui à l’octroi du crédit à travers la structure de microfinance IBDAA :« Durant la période de chaleur, nous avons souvent des pannes de batterie et un manque considérable de lait. Nous prenons des animaux que nous élevons et revendons ensuite aux éleveurs. Nous avons été formées en premier lieu sur la culture fourragère pour pouvoir nourrir nos bêtes. Enabel nous a beaucoup apporté, dans le même temps que nous développions l’idée de collaborer avec les éleveurs en leur vendant le fourrage, en contrepartie du lait qu’ils nous fournissent. Nous pourrions exploiter et développer davantage cette collaboration si nous avions assez de graines pour la culture des fourrages, et de l’eau pour l’irrigation. Nous avons du lait en grande quantité durant l’hivernage. Notre problème majeur est lié au stockage. De ce fait, nous vendons aux personnes provenant de Nouakchott et Nouadhibou; le reste est vendu à des prix bas pour les revendeurs locaux ».Terminons par le quatrième témoignage, celui de Barka Traoré, facilitateur pastoral à Sélibabi au Guidimakha : « Avant la visite d’Enabel, et ma sélection en tant que facilitateur qui en a suivi, je ne faisais que du maraîchage. Je ne connaissais rien de la culture fourragère. Après une première formation à Gouraye, nous avons reçu des semences de maralalfa, de brachiaria, de pois d’Angole, de haricots fourragers, de sorgho etc. J’ai fait le compte rendu de tout cela à ma famille qui travaille avec moi et j'ai pu les convaincre d’investir dans ces semences. Les résultats sont florissants : à peine 2 petits mois après les avoir plantées, la production était au rendez-vous ».En conclusion, le programme RIMFIL incarne véritablement une initiative transformative dans les régions du sud mauritanien. À travers des formations ciblées, des investissements dans les filières agro-sylvopastorales et la réhabilitation d'infrastructures, RIMFIL permet un changement significatif dans la vie des agropasteurs. Les témoignages éloquents de Bocar Sow, Demba Barry, Mme Tabarah Mint Ahmed et Barka Traoré attestent du succès du programme en renforçant les compétences, en favorisant la collaboration et en stimulant la production durable.
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Éducation à l'Assainissement : distribution de kits scolaires à Koulikoro au Mali
Nènè TRAORE | 20/02/2024
Les écoles de la commune de Koulikoro au Mali mieux informées sur la chaine de l’assainissementDans le cadre de son engagement continu envers la commune urbaine de Koulikoro, le projet PEPAK (projet d'amélioration de l'accès à l'eau potable et à l'assainissement dans la région de Koulikoro) à travers la campagne de communication « Ma salubrité, c’est ma santé » a organisé une distribution de kits scolaires dans des établissements scolaires. L'activité s'est déroulée le jeudi 08 février 2024. Cette initiative vise à informer le milieu scolaire sur l’assainissement afin que les jeunes adhèrent aux activités mises en place au sein de la commune. Les jeunes gens, censés prendre la relève dans le futur, connaitront dès maintenant l’importance de l’assainissement. La remise des kits scolaires aux élèves a eu lieu en présence des autorités communales, des directeurs des écoles concernées et des membres du comité de gestion des écoles. Que comprenaient les kits scolaires ? Des cahiers personnalisés (24.000) avec explications de la chaine de l’assainissement et des bons gestes et pratiques à avoir, des boites à images et des jeux de cartes sur la chaine d’assainissement. Cette distribution de kits scolaires revêt une importance toute particulière dans la commune de Koulikoro où le problème d’assainissement constitue un réel défi, plus précisément la gestion des déchets liquides. En matière d’assainissement des déchets liquides, la situation avant 2023 à Koulikoro tout comme dans la plupart des villes du Mali, était très complexe. Outre la législation claire qui a été publiée à ce sujet, bon nombre d’acteurs savent et sont convaincus de l’importance du rôle de l’assainissement pour le développement du pays. Cependant, l’application de la loi reste timide. Face à ce constat, la Mairie de Koulikoro a sollicité le soutien du projet PEPAK mené par Enabel au Mali. Ensemble, avec les parties prenantes concernées, chacun·e a pris le temps de réfléchir à une organisation réaliste, conforme à la règlementation en vigueur. Que fait le projet PEPAK concrètement?Le projet PEPAK met à disposition l’équipement et le soutien nécessaire au lancement du projet d’assainissement des déchets liquides porté par la Mairie de Koulikoro, avec une vision à 2030. En plus de soutenir la commune de façon générale, et les élèves individuellement, cette initiative renforce également le sens de la communauté au sein de l'école. Les retombées de cette distribution vont bien au-delà des kits eux-mêmes. En offrant aux élèves ces kits pour les informer des bons gestes à avoir, la commune prépare ses habitant·es à maintenir un cadre de vie sain.
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Les producteurs locaux récompensés à la foire agricole de Bozoum en République Centrafricaine
Mandy BAKINE NGASHUE | 13/02/2024
Nous sommes fiers d'avoir participé à la foire agricole de Bozoum, qui s'est déroulée du 26 au 28 janvier 2024, et d'avoir été reconnus parmi les meilleurs producteurs. Quatre maraîchers, soutenus par notre programme DEVRUR II, ont eu l'opportunité de participer.Cette foire a constitué une belle occasion de promouvoir les activités réalisées dans l'agropole de Bozoum, offrant aux producteurs la possibilité d'exposer et de vendre leurs productions.Dans le cadre du projet DEVRUR II, nous avons assuré le transport des produits agricoles en provenance des localités avoisinantes vers le site de la foire. De plus, des prix ont été remis aux meilleurs producteurs, comprenant des équipements tels que des charrues pour la culture attelée, des moulins à manioc, des pousse-pousse, des brouettes, des pulvérisateurs, des paires de bottes, des râteaux, des pelles et des arrosoirs."
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L'AFD et Enabel s'unissent pour renforcer la qualité des soins au Bénin
Reece-hermine ADANWENON | 09/02/2024
Le mercredi 7 février 2024 s’est tenu au ministère de la Santé le 1ᵉʳ Comité de Pilotage 2024 du projet Equite « Ensemble pour une qualité de soins inclusive et Transparente, orientée vers l’égalité genre ». L'objectif général est de contribuer au pilotage du projet EQUITE. Les objectifs spécifiques sont au nombre de 4 :Faire le bilan opérationnel de fin de projet (Q4_2023 et Q1 2024)Présenter le programme d’activités pour la transition entre les deux phases du projetPrésenter le point d’exécution financièreValider l’adaptation du plan de clôture du projetLa session a connu la participation effective de : Mr Dandonougbo Codjo - Directeur Départemental de la Santé des Collines, Mr Philippe Compaoré - Project Manager EQUITE, Mr Somassè Elysée - Expert Santé Enabel, Mr Marcel KOUNNOU, Intervention Officer Suivi et Evalution , Mr Aguida Alain, Conseiller Stratégique Enabel, Mr Saliou OBOUDOU de la préfecture de Dassa, Mme Alexandra CHAUVEAU - représentante l’AFD, Mr Olivier Krins - Directeur pays Enabel Bénin, Mr Imorou Ba Chabi - Secrétaire Général du Ministère de la Santé, Mr Saïb WEDE - représentant de la Plateforme Nationale des Utilisateurs des Services de Santé et Mr Gilles HOUNDOLO.Au terme de la session, les recommandations à retenir sont : Mise en place d'un comité de suivi des chantiers (HZ DaGla et CS Kilibo) présidé par le Préfet des Collines ;L'envoi par l’AFD (au plus tard le 15 février 2024) d'un courrier au Ministère de la Santé avec copie à Enabel informant de la validation du financement de EQUITE 2 ;L'envoi à l'AFD du rapport de l'évaluation finale de EQUITE 1 ;Courant fin du mois de février, organisation d'une session d'information à l'endroit des autorités du Borgou concernées par la mise en œuvre du projet EQUITE phase 2
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Burundi : Vers l’amélioration de la qualité des apprentissages à travers une stratégie de maintenance productive
Karine GUILLEVIC | 09/02/2024
Le projet d’Appui Complémentaire à la Formation Professionnelle et Technique (ACFPT) d’Enabel soutient les efforts des centres de formation professionnelle pour améliorer la qualité des apprentissages pratiques. Enabel à travers le projet ACFPT soutient 18 Centres d’Enseignement des Métiers (CEM) et Centres de Formation Professionnelle (CFP) à travers le pays. Dans ces centres, les jeunes apprentis, âgés de 15 à 18 ans, apprennent un métier technique et professionnel tel que la soudure, la menuiserie, l’électricité, la maçonnerie, la mécanique automobile, etc. Au total, ce sont 20 métiers qui y sont enseignés. L’apprentissage pratique des métiers requiert des ateliers fonctionnels aux normes standards et bien équipés dans les centres de formation professionnelle. Depuis 2017, 31 ateliers dont l’infrastructure et 48 ateliers dont les équipements ont été mis à niveau dans les filières prioritaires des 18 centres appuyés afin de renforcer les conditions d’apprentissage et une qualité de formation mieux alignée sur les pratiques professionnelles. La dotation d’équipements modernes permet de concilier les compétences acquises avec les qualifications recherchées dans le monde du travail. Par conséquent les mesures accompagnatrices mises en place par Enabel dans le domaine de la maintenance et de l’utilisation efficace des équipements sont un élément clé de la réussite dans l’apprentissage professionnel.150 formateurs des filières appuyées ont été renforcés dans les compétences techniques liés à leur métier (dont l’exploitation des équipements) et 92 d’entre eux dont 18 maintenanciers et 74 référents ont été outillés et appliquent le processus de maintenance préventive et curative en utilisant leurs ressources propres à travers les pratiques de la maintenance productive totale connu en anglais sous la terminologie Total Productive Maintenance (méthode TPM). « La maintenance préventive va améliorer la fiabilité et prolonger la durée de vie des équipements dont nous disposons dans nos centres et réduire les risques de blessure pour les usagers » a précisé un des bénéficiaires.
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Michael’s welding business in Uganda thrives despite set-backs
Jovia KAVULU | 06/02/2024
Michael Anyama, is a 34-year-old Ugandan, whose encounter with a training opportunity from Windle International in 2018 changed his life. Despite lacking prior experience in welding, Michael recognized his potential and decided to seize the opportunity to learn. The six-month training, followed by a three-month internship, provided Michael with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in welding. Under the guidance of experienced instructors at a welding workshop in Adjumani, he honed his abilities in accurate measurements and proficient fabricating techniques. By the end of the program, Michael was equipped with not only technical expertise but also valuable business skills, such as effective advertising on social media platforms. After completing his internship, Michael was eager to launch his own welding business, but financial constraints delayed his plans. He therefore turned to growing maize and simsim in order to raise capital. Gradually, with extra boost from a loan he acquired from a savings group that he is a member of, Michael accumulated the funds needed to kick-start his welding venture. In 2019, armed with capital of UGX 3,000,000 (833$), Michael officially launched "A Mike Metal Fabrics." His dedication to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction has earned him a steady stream of orders and a growing reputation in the community and he was also able to pay off the loan. “The biggest order I have ever got was to fabricate doors and windows for a whole house and I was able to make a profit of UGX 600,000 (167$)". However, like any journey to success, Michael encountered obstacles along the way. The breakdown of his generator posed a significant challenge, hindering his ability to work on-site. Despite this setback, Michael is still determined to overcome adversity and continue pursuing his passion for welding. His workshop is a hub of creativity, with doors and gates on display showcasing his talent. As orders poured in, Michael expanded his team, employing two part-time staff members, one of whom he personally trained. Michael has no regrets for pursuing welding. Each obstacle he faces serves as a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination to succeed.
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Annet's journey: from lockdown struggles to entrepreneurial success-Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 06/02/2024
Annet Maturu's story is one of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of skilling and opportunity. Born and raised in Babaa, Maracha district, Annet's journey began with a simple radio announcement about a training program. Annet seized the opportunity to apply for it and she gained admission into the program. She embarked on a course in salon and hairdressing at Flamingo Vocational Training Center in Arua because she recognized the potential for profitability in the beauty industry. Armed with newfound skills and knowledge, Annet returned to Maracha and opened a salon, named "Annecho's Beauty Salon," at just 22 years old. Annet's success didn't come without hurdles. Initially lacking the capital to start her business, and amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown, she began by making groundnut paste to generate income. Her fortunes changed when she received a call from Enabel, inviting her to a workshop where she received a substantial allowance. With this support, Annet invested in hair extensions, rent, and essential salon equipment.Today, Annecho's Beauty Salon is thriving. It offers a range of services from plaiting cornrows to weaves to braiding and relaxing hair. Annet's expertise has not only attracted loyal customers but also aspiring youths eager to learn from her. With three youths enrolled in her training program, Annet has expanded her role from entrepreneur to mentor, passing on her knowledge and skills to the next generation. Beyond hairdressing, Annet has diversified her business, venturing into selling shoes sourced from Arua. “Sometimes, I can take home close to UGX 150,000 (40$) from both the salon and shoe selling business”, says Annet. From humble beginnings, Annet has achieved financial independence, moving out of her parents' home and supporting herself, including covering her sister's school fees. Her ambition knows no bounds as she sets her sights on relocating her business to Arua, a larger city with even greater prospects for growth. She also used some of the profit from her business to lease a quarter hectare of land on which she is growing cassava, which she hopes to sell. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others, proving that with determination, hard work, and access to opportunities, anything is possible. Annet's message to her friends and peers is clear: "seize every opportunity for education and training, for it is the key to unlocking a brighter future".
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No more dependency on parents for 23-year-old Medina-Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 06/02/2024
Medina Maneno is a 23-year-old resident of Adjumani town who had always had a love for tailoring. In 2019, Medina learnt from her friend about a tailoring training that was being advertised by Windle International. Windle International is among the 54 organisations that received funding under the Skills Development Fund initiative, implemented by Enabel and the Ministry of Education and Sports. So far, Euro 6.5m has been invested by the Belgian government, Germany, the Embassy of Ireland and the European Union to train women and youth in Northern Uganda, Karamoja and the Rwenzori/Albertine region. Medina jumped at the opportunity and applied immediately. By the end of the 6 months training in Adjumani, Medina could sew shirts, shorts, dresses, and skirts for both children and adults. She strengthened her skills during a 3-month internship at a tailor’s shop in Adjumani. In addition, she attended business skills training which emphasized customer care and marketing. For almost one year after internship, Medina worked for a tailor, made enough savings and used them to rent premises at UGX 100,000 ($27.3) a month. She opened a tailoring shop called “Medina Classic Business Center", located at Openjiji road in Adjumani town. She started with one sewing machine which she received as part of her startup kit. She has since been able to acquire a second sewing machine. Having worked initially, Medina was able to establish a relationship with some of the clients, who followed her when she opened her business. “My business is doing well and because I had worked before, some people in the community had known me and so they followed me and became my customers. They still come back to me even now.” From the proceeds of her business, she is able to pay school fees for her brother, take care of her parents, and herself. “I am helping my parents to pay school fees for my brother who is still in primary school so that he does not drop out like I did.” Medina is now an independent young woman. She is currently training 2 girls at a fee of UGX 60,000($16) per month for a 6-months training. The girls were brought by their parents to Medina so that they could also learn how to tailor. Medina has established three sources of income in her business. She sells imported African print material from Congo, makes clothes on order and sells clothes on display in her shop which she already tailored. Her peak season is during Christmas time when she can take home about UGX 80,000($21) from sewing 3 clothes per day. Medina says that no single day goes by without someone walking into her shop to seek her services. She plans to shift to an even more spacious location so that she can have more storage space for her materials and tailored clothes. She practices good record keeping and also has a bank account for savings. Furthermore, she attributes this to the skills she learnt during the business skills training on re-investing back into her business. “At first, my parents were doing everything for me. But now, I can take care of myself and also support them. They are very proud of me.”
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Ratib is reaping big from vegetable growing in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 06/02/2024
After what he describes as hustling for 2 years on the streets of Arua and Juba in South Sudan, Ratib Ajidra, 33 decided to return home and rethink his life. He had dropped out of school in Senior Four, following the death of his older brother who had been supporting his education. Ratib decided to try his luck at agriculture, which he started on a small scale. He mainly grew cassava, groundnuts, simsim and maize. Most of it was for personal use and he would sell the excess. Later, he was invited by his peers and neighbors who were also engaged in farming to form a group and farm together to increase their produce and sell in bulk. Despite being in a group, there was lack of direction among the members, and they also lacked adequate knowledge of how to work together to realize profits in farming. Their breakthrough came in 2019 when their group was approached by 3 NGOs namely War Child, ZOA and Cordaid International. The group of 25 youth farmers received training in agribusiness, how to properly clear their land for farming as opposed to burning bushes, how to work together as a group and how to write proposals to attract funding for their projects. With guidance from Cordaid international, the youths were formally organized into Kulala Cooperative, in which Ratib serves as the Secretary. In February 2023, Enabel conducted a 2-week entrepreneurship training with the members of Kulala cooperative. They were trained to think like entrepreneurs, how to identify opportunities, how to identify the market, how to produce quality products and how to price them accordingly. They were also given spray pumps and seeds of tomatoes, onions, and cabbage which they planted and have already harvested and sold. The group sells most of their produce in the markets in Yumbe. In total, Kulala Cooperative has so far been able to realize a profit of UGX 3.8m ($1,055) and the members are yet to agree on how best to use the money. The training they received from Enabel helped them identify more opportunities. They diversified from growing only soya beans to vegetables as well. Outside the group, Ratib also grows onions, tomatoes and green peppers. Before the training, Ratib had trouble earning income but at least now he can grow 2 to 3 types of vegetables and sell them after 3 months. “Now, I can pay school fees for my children and afford necessities. Before, if you asked me for money, I wouldn’t have any, but now, you can ask me for UGX 20,000($5) and I will have.” Initially, Ratib grew only ground nuts, simsim and cassava because he lacked the knowledge about vegetable growing and yet vegetables are more lucrative and take a short time to grow. Through the training he received from Enabel, he learnt that he could profit from vegetables if he identified his market well and priced his produce based on his cost of production. Being part of Kulala Cooperative has also empowered him in that there is a lot of learning that takes place within members and there is support they receive from the various NGOs. The members of Kulala Cooperative have plans to expand not just in membership but in the amount of produce because the market for vegetables is big. “Our plan is to increase the quantity and quality of our produce so that we attract bigger markets and get more revenue. We want to grow as a cooperative. We also wish to learn how to add value to our produce so that we can sell at a higher price and receive more income.” Some community members buy their produce at wholesale prices and resale them. The efforts of the group are now recognized by their community who don’t have to go very far in search of vegetables but can just walk to the members’ homes and buy. “Our community used to go very far to buy vegetables, but now, they can come here and get vegetables easily. Also, they ask about what we do and how we do it because our gardens look unique. We offer them information and encourage them to join the cooperative.” Ratib says that the more members join the cooperative, the more capital the cooperative will get through a one-off UGX 10,000($3) registration and an annual UGX 10,000 subscription fee from each member. Currently, the group has 30 members, but they are looking at increasing the membership to 100 plus members in the next few years. In addition to growing vegetables, Ratib wants to diversify into poultry keeping and goat farming. “I plan to diversify into poultry keeping and afterwards get into goat farming as well. I will do that using the money I will get from vegetable growing.” The increasing demand for goats in the West Nile region is attracting investment in animal husbandry. There is enormous demand for goats, especially among the Muslim communities in Yumbe who slaughter them in fulfilment of religious and cultural ceremonies.
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Uganda-Richard's passion for baking comes alive
Jovia KAVULU | 06/02/2024
Drichi Richard, 31 came to Uganda from South Sudan in 2015. He had been displaced during a civil war between the ruling South Sudanese government then and opposition forces. On reaching Uganda, he continued with his education but dropped out of school after completing Senior Four due to lack of school fees. Since then, he hardly did anything productive. His life began to change when he applied for training in bakery skills. “I saw a poster advertising various trainings and I chose to apply for bakery because I had always had the desire to learn how to bake.” Richard was among the 8 youths that were trained in the art of baking by Windle International, one of the implementing partners of Enabel. They learnt how to bake cookies and cakes using local ovens (charcoal stoves, saucepans and hot sand). They also learnt how to make chapatti, mandazi, samosas and daddies. After the 3 months training, Richard and another trainee were placed at a local bakery in Adjumani town for internship. It was at that bakery that Richard saw an electric oven for the first time and learnt how to use it. He also learnt how to use an electric dough mixer and a cake mixer. “We learnt a lot of things during internship because the owner of the bakery was very welcoming and willing to support us but unfortunately, the training was too short to get more skills because it was only 2 weeks long”. After the internship, Richard received a start-up kit and fortunately because of his good performance, he was retained to work at the bakery for UGX150,000($42) a month. After just two months of employment, Richard decided to leave his job because he felt that he could make more money if he owned his own bakery. Having grown up seeing his mother build local ovens for a living, Richard used his memory and applied his mother’s technique to build an oven which uses firewood. He resorted to specializing in baking cookies because they have a longer shelf life and also because he noticed how much the children in his community loved cookies. He packs the cookies in buckets and his biggest bucket goes for UGX 50,000($14), while the smaller bucket goes for UGX 30,000($8). Richard sells each cookie at UGX 100. His peak seasons are during school visitation days when parents buy the cookies to take for their children at school. His customers are mainly from Adjumani and some are from Nimule. He also sells the cookies on market days which happen once a month. On a very good day, Richard can make UGX 75,000($21). Richard’s sales also go up during the days when the World Food Programme distributes food in the refugee settlement. During that time, which happens once a month, many people gather together to receive their food rations and the distribution usually takes long. People get hungry and buy Richard’s cookies especially for their children. Yumbe district is home to one of the largest refugee camps in Uganda. Bidi Bidi refugee settlement located in the eastern part of Yumbe is home to more than 250,000 South Sudanese refugees (about half the population of Wyoming), 80% of whom are women and children. Using the proceeds from his business, Richard set up a drug shop that earns him at least UGX 10,000($3) a day. He also wants to start a poultry farm as soon as he saves enough money to start. “When I save enough, I will start a poultry farm so that I can widen my income sources. I have trained my wife to bake cookies so that when I get very busy with the poultry farm, she will be able to keep the bakery business running.” Richard has recently ordered a bigger oven from a professional who is in the process of building it. With a bigger oven, Richard will be able to bake more cookies at once and therefore increase his sales and earn more revenue.
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Agnes proves her dad wrong about investing in girl's education-Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 06/02/2024
Agnes Never has always been hardworking right from when she was in school. She had dreams of becoming a highly educated and respected member of her society. However, her dream was short-lived when her father stopped paying Agnes’s school fees before she completed her primary education. Her dad had been disappointed by Agnes’s elder sister who dropped out of school after getting pregnant while in Senior Two. For fear that Agnes would turn out the same way as her sister, her father stopped paying her school fees and only concentrated on educating his sons. Agnes’ pleas to give her a chance at education fell on deaf ears and Agnes had no choice but to stay at home. According to an article by Adam Gule of New Vision, only 18 girls out of 234 candidates sat for their Senior Six exams in Yumbe district in 2022. Gule attributed this to the failure of the majority of parents in Yumbe district to recognize the value of educating the girl child. Using money she had borrowed, Agnes started hawking African print materials from Congo. One day as she was walking around with her merchandise, she saw a poster by Norwegian Refugee Council about different trainings for youth in her community. These trainings were under the Skills Development Fund, implemented by Enabel and the Ministry of Education and Sports and funded by the European Union and German Cooperation. Agnes picked an interest in tailoring because it fit in with what she was doing already. In addition to selling material, she could include sewing outfits for her customers if she learnt the skill. So, in 2022, Agnes went to Koboko town for the 3 months tailoring course, at the end of which she came out with the skills to start her business. She decided to start her business immediately after her training for fear that she might forget what she had learnt. She went the extra mile to rent a sewing machine and began her business. By the time she received her sewing machine as a startup incentive, Agnes was already in business. “I did not want to forget what I had learnt in the training and that is why I decided to start my business straight away, using a sewing machine that I used to rent from someone.” Agnes wants to turn her business into a wholesale shop by acquiring more African print material. She also wants to buy more sewing machines to train people so that she can increase her income. In addition to tailoring skills, Agnes also trained in business skills which have enhanced her business. Before, she would just spend the money she would make from her business but now she learnt to keep records and to re-invest in her business. Agnes, 29, is now making more money than before and is therefore able to pay her rent of UGX 10,000($3) a month, take care of her children and even restock. Before she acquired tailoring skills, Agnes would go home with about UGX 10,000 but now, she goes home with about UGX 25,000($7). She charges a minimum of UGX 10,000 per cloth she tailors. She inspired her friend, who owned a sewing machine but didn’t know how to use it. Her friend is now sharing the same space with Agnes and learning from her, while she contributes to the rent. Today, Agnes is supporting her father and he regrets not having invested in her education. “He only educated my brothers, but they don’t help him because they just drink alcohol yet for me, I am able to take care of myself without begging from others and I will continue to work hard and support my children through school.” Agnes has also introduced her child to tailoring and at 10 years old, she is gradually picking up the skill. Agnes occasionally gets requests from women in her community to train them, but she is unable to because she does not have extra sewing machines. “My plan is to acquire more sewing machines so that I can start training other interested women. I also want to acquire an electric sewing machine so that I can put embroidery on the clothes I sew”. This will enhance the quality of her clothes and increase their value, thereby earning her more revenue.
