Success Stories..Orphanhood to Trainer

Rose rises from orphanhood to become a trainer

Towards the end of every year, LWF carries out an impact assessment exercise to assess the impact of its activities in the 8 sub counties where it operates. One of the respondents interviewed is a graduate of the Lyantonde Vocational Skills centre which is supported by LWF. Rose Kyagabine, aged 20, is a graduate of tailoring and a resident of Nsiika in Mpumudde Sub County where she heads a family of orphans. After acquiring a certificate in tailoring, Rose was given a sewing machine by Rakai children’s trust. She put the skills attained to good use through sewing clothes for sale and as a result she earns an average of 25,000/= which has been very essential in looking after her own child, her siblings and grand mother. Part of her income goes towards payment of the monthly rent for her workplace yet she saves the balance. From her savings, Rose has managed to purchase a new sewing machine which she will use to expand her business.

Rose comments that "The skills, training and economic empowerment I have got from Lyantonde Vocational centre has helped me to be independent especially when it comes to making a living and it gives me pride to see my family surviving."

Rose in her tailoring shop

Besides tailoring, Rose is a member of a community based farming group with 5 members in which she has utilised agricultural skills she acquired from the vocational centre, as one of the compulsory subjects taught at the centre. The group owns a sizeable piece of land on which members cultivate crops like cabbage, onions, matooke (bananas), and tomatoes. They earn some money from their produce though the yields are at times affected by the long drought and inconsistent market. On behalf of trainees that have benefited from LWF support, Rose would like to express her gratitude and delight at the positive results achieved by LWF through commitment to support vulnerable children with education. Roses’ case clearly shows that activities of LWF assessed create a positive impact on the beneficiaries.