Hands-On Student Learning and Skills Training
Uganda now holds the record for the longest school disruption of anywhere in the world – a staggering 83 weeks.
During the long COVID lockdowns, our sponsored children have been forced to study remotely without the direct guidance of their teachers. Many of our students, particularly the older ones, were becoming restless, disheartened and desolate as the weeks ticked by.
Once some of Uganda’s travel and gathering restrictions were lifted, we mobilized and identified apprenticeships, vocational trainings and shadowing opportunities for our candidate students (P.7, S.4 & S.6 leavers) to participate in while they awaited school to resume.
Our goal has been to restore hope, engage students in positive activities and expose them to lucrative trade skills.
Four of our students (Suzan, Florence, Simon Peter and Patrick) are learning baking skills from a wonderful woman named Janat who opened a bakery over 6 years ago – a lifelong dream of hers. When we visited these students at the bakery, they demonstrated their bread making prowess, let us taste muffins fresh out of the oven (soooo yummy!) and gave us the secret ingredients to a traditional cake made for introduction ceremonies.
When you have a practical skill – you will be able to make a way.
“I was despising the tailoring skill at first.; however, it is different now. I love the skill! I enjoy what I do. I am able to make clothes for my family and myself. I will join university when I have a side income. Thank you, Children of Uganda.”
– Jesca Nanziri
All the students undergoing vocational skills training are so enthusiastic and so invested in what they are learning. Students have engaged in everything from baking to hair braiding, tailoring, auto repair and more. They all report that the sense of purpose and engagement worked wonders for their overall well-being.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for not giving up on our students and for helping us find a way forward for them. If you would like to support a child in need, we hope you will consider becoming a sponsor today!
