Former street children from Katanga graduate

Former street children from Katanga and other streets of Kampala have received certificates in tailoring and other vocational studies.

The certificates were awarded from Fram Vocational Institute  set up under the get children out of the street project supported by the good Samaritans of Norway to address the problem of unemployment.

According to the Director of the project Richard Kiwanuka,the project is aimed at empowering slum dwellers and street children by turning them into productive citizens and better leaders of tomorrow.

"Considering the situation in slum areas, most especially of Katanga,the children born to these places need a helping hand to pull them into better people, "he said.

He observed that such children have got the potential to perform better but because they lack good Samaritans, they cannot achieve their dreams.

Speaking during the Christmas party and graduation of the vocational students and top class for Katanga community school, Kiwanuka noted that as good Samaritans from Norway, there inspiration is to see slum dwellers in transformed lives.  

Some of the kids from Katanga studying at Katanga community school displaying their talents pix by Agnes Nantambi

"When we came here, there were many youth who were unemployed but had concentrated in marijuana, drug abuse, prostitution and drunkard-ness, so we came to address this problem since it is the major challenge facing Uganda, "he said.

"Ever since our intervention, we have seen many leaving the slums and started on new lives. We began by giving them hands on skills and many have changed and created employment for others and themselves, "he added.

He observed that given that slums are characterized by crimes, drug abuse, but what was found out within the ten years of the project is the fact that slums have people with a lot of potentials because they are very creative and willing to learn.

"No one can help everyone but everyone can help at least one, "he said.

Florence Mukasa the headmistress Katanga community school, called on all parents of children coming from slums to be more responsible and avoid their children contract poor behaviors.

She said majority of the children go to school with sachets of waragi an indication that the communities where they leave are not very safe for them.

Graduates led by Monica Nassasira applauded the initiators of the project saying it is a turning point within their life.

"I came here after losing hope but I am happy that I have studied free of charge and have received a free sewing machine which is my source of capital, "she said.