Educated, Empowered, Unstoppable

Children & Youth

Jul 3

Salmat’s journey from doubt to design

“My name is Salmat Nalukenge, and I'm 22 years old. Back in 2023, I had finished lower secondary education, but I was unable to continue with school due to lack of money. My mum, who's a single parent and sells clothes for a living, encouraged me to join Mazuri Designs Hub (MDH). At first, I was hesitant because I really wanted to become a nurse, and I was worried my friends would mock me for taking a vocational course. Nonetheless, I joined MDH where the trainers were so welcoming. While at MDH, I learned more than just tailoring. I learned about running a business, how to communicate assertively and how to resist bad influence. I enjoyed the life skills sessions and consistently excelled in the tailoring assessments.

After I finished my training, GUIU referred me to my current workplace which is also a skilling centre for youth with different types of skills training, like urban farming, tailoring and shoe making. Now, I'm the seamstress in charge of training while I also make products for sale such as bucket hats, table mats, coats, bags. The training from MDH gave me such a strong foundation for my fashion and design career. With the money I earn now, I used part of it to invest in my mum's clothing business and take care of my own needs. I'm no longer dependent on my mum, I even help with the bills at home, like electricity and water. It's been so inspiring that other girls in my community have now joined the training program at Mazuri Designs Hub because of my experience. I'm proud of myself and my dream for the future is to open my own skilling center.”

Finding my voice as a girl – Ameri Maritah’s story

“Before I learned about Girl Up, school was hard, and I had to repeat a class. Because my siblings performed better in school, my dad was unhappy with me; in fact, he even said I might as well just get married. I started living with my older sister, and she moved me to a new school that had Girl Up programs. Initially, I was shy and scared to talk to people in class. One time, my class teacher asked me to present in class, and I cried. However, she encouraged me to join Girl Up programs, which I did, and I have been transformed.

Even in our family, we are 12 children, and sometimes it's hard to pay school fees for all of us because my dad believes that boys' education is more important. As a result, I missed a whole school term because there was no money, to the extent that I even started high school late.

Despite these challenges, in Girl Up, I learned how to believe in myself and feel good about who I am. By the time I finished primary school, I was very active in school activities. Moreover, Girl Up also provided me with a scholarship, and now I am sure I can reach my dreams. Indeed, I have become a leader, and my grades are good. Girl Up has made me a new person, and I'm very thankful to them. I encourage all girls that even if life feels confusing sometimes, there are amazing chances out there for us. I want them to join programs like Girl Up too.”

Kelen’s resilience journey to education

“My name is Asiimwe Kelen, and I am from Kololo Senior Secondary School. Before I received the scholarship from Girl Up, my mother was our sole provider, earning 80,000 Ugandan shillings. With this income, she had to pay rent, school fees, and food. Sometimes, she delayed paying school fees and I often missed school. As an active member of Girl Up programs in my school, I was awarded a scholarship. That very term, Girl Up paid my school fees which enabled me to complete primary school.

When I joined secondary school, my mother lost her job and as a result, I had to stay out of school for a year. I started washing clothes in the neighborhood to raise my tuition, but this was a struggle. I reached out to Girl Up for support and my request was granted again. The scholarship given to me has not only helped me but also has enabled my mother to take care of other basic needs for our family without me being a financial burden. It has also enabled me to continue my education, and I am hopeful about completing my studies all the way through university.”