Mbabazi Beatrice from Rwimi Town Council, Bunyangabu District is one of our beneficiaries of youth skilling. “I was born in a family with a very humble background. My family practices peasant farming and we produce mainly for home consumption.” Mbabazi shares. Among eight children, I was fortunate to test secondary education but only to senior 3 due to financial constraints at home. This forced me to drop out of school, though my dream was to become an Enrolled Nurse.
One afternoon as I was thinking how my life would turn out, I heard a radio announcement on Voice of Toro inviting youths to apply for a skilling program at Joint Efforts to Save the Environment (JESE).
” I went to the Community Development Officer at Rwimi Town Council to try my luck and I was among the lucky few to be admitted to the program to do hairdressing.” Mbabazi remarked.
The training was good, though I had to drop home a few times to check on my child. JESE and WHH were very thoughtful to us. We were given a daily lunch allowance during the training. With a dream to own a beauty shop immediately after the training, I saved up my lunch allowance for that purpose.
Following assessment by the Directorate of Industrial Training, I was among the best and graduated. We were profiled and promised starter kits. While waiting for the kits to be delivered by JESE and WWH, I camped at my trainer’s salon to gain additional skills and save more money to enable me to start my salon.
” My heart rocked with excitement when a JESE Officer called to inform me that the kits were procured.” Said Mbabazi. The kits that included; a sitting dryer with its chair, a trolley, a mirror, and a sink were handed to us in a colorful ceremony in Bunyangabu District.
Being excited to start my salon where I would be my boss was rather pleasing at the same time challenging as I would sit for long waiting for my first customer to test my services and skills. I received my first customer after two weeks and I have never looked back!
” I can now pay for my rent conveniently and also provide for my personal needs and those of my child. My gratitude goes to; JESE, WWH, and BMZ.” She concludes.