Plan International celebrates 25 years

Supporting youth empowerment 

By Andrew Masinde

Jackie Nakalega, 19 is a resident of Namungona suburb in Kampala. After the death of her mother, she was taken on by her mother's friend, who promised raise her and pay her school fees.

That support came through until she completed P.7. For a year thereafter. Nakalega stayed at home doing housework, before her aunt took her back to school.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck again when she was in S2. Nakalega's aunt was involved in an accident and was no longer able to pay her school fees. A friend promised to find her a job in Kampala.

"When I reached Kampala, the job I was given was that of a waitress at a bar. I was paid between sh3,000 and sh4,000 a day which could hardly pay my bills. I turned to prostitution to supplement my little earnings," she says.

One day, someone who noticed her plight advised her to join the Partnerships for Empowerment of Vulnerable Women and Girls in Urban Slums of Kampala City (PEVUS) project.

The project aims at rehabilitating more than 900 girls and women who have been sexually exploited, by giving them alternative livelihood options.

Plan International Uganda beneficiaries welding a door at their garage in Lira

This is in addition to skills training to enable them develop confidence and create linkages for them to employment opportunities. So far 900 girls have been trained in vocational skills including hair dressing, tailoring, plumbing and electronics.

Of these, over 70% are employed and about 25% are self-employed. This number is expected to rise following the distribution of start-up kits to all beneficiaries.

The start-up kits include hair dressing materials and equipment, electronic and plumbing tool boxes, catering sets, tailoring and knitting machines.

Besides equipping the beneficiaries with vocational skills, they are sensitised on how to demand for their sexual reproductive health rights, access information and sexual reproductive health services.

The project has also developed capacity of duty bearers. The project's main objective is to create deep-rooted and lasting improvements in the lives of girls and young women aged 13 to 25 in Kawempe and Rubaga divisions of Kampala City.

Nakalega is not alone. Many other youths have benefited from the scheme. Margaret Namutebi, 24, graduated in 2014 from Uganda Christian University with a Bachelor of Project Planning and Entrepreneurship and spent a year at home without a job. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

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