“Am now able to take better care of myself and relatives at home.” I can buy milk, sugar, clothes and pay for medical care unlike before.” This was the response from Joyce Asekenye, 16 when asked about the benefits she got from vocational skills training programme for out-of-school youths supported by SAO Uganda in Kolir sub county, Eastern Uganda.
Asekenye resides in Tukum village in Tukum parish in Kolir Sub County. She trained in trained in tailoring from Kolir trading center. Although she is perfecting her tailoring skills, Asekenye is already earning an income. In fact, her first employer is her trainer, who was impressed with her seriousness with work and ability to comprehend what she is taught. “When my trainer offered me a job, I was thrilled,” said Joyce
Asekenye makes various types of designs of shirts, shorts, blouses and dresses.” She has so far saved 100,000/= (equivalent of 33.3 Euros) and plans to buy her own sewing machine. Joyce’s further vision is to set up another business and assist her family in acquiring some household necessities as soap, paraffin sugar. Asekenye is grateful that SAO offered her an opportunity to undergo the training after dropping out of school. With high rates of teenage pregnancies and early marriage, Asekenye’s life would be different, had it not been for the opportunity to get trained.
She is one of the 167 youths trained in business, life and vocational skills for employment and job creation by SAO in Tororo district.
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