Esther and Harriet Graduate from Vocational Training

This March two young mothers have graduated from vocational institutes. Esther graduated with a diploma in Early childhood development from YMCA Comprehensive Institute and Harriet graduated with a certificate in hairdressing from Heart and Hands Vocational Institute. Both these ladies come from different regions but they have got a similar background that led them to Kampala in a bid for a better life. They dropped out of school as their guardians could not manage to financially support their education. Idleness led them to early marriage, which did not work out.  

Esther moved in with her cousins in Kampala and in order to earn a living, she started making and selling cassava chips. On the other hand, Harriet also moved to the capital to live with her auntie. To earn a living, Harriet sold Bushera (a local beverage).  

When they each learnt about the Girl care program, they joined with hope to be helped to acquire skills that would enable them to earn better. When they got sponsorship opportunities, Esther opted to train in early childhood development because she always loved to work with children. And Harriet chose to train in hairdressing believing that the job in this profession is always on your doorstep, as clients are all around you. 

Within the first year of training, Esther was able to get a job as a daycare attendant. And by the time she completed training her position had changed from daycare attendant to nursery teacher. This position comes with housing benefits and a half school fees bursary for her child. For now, Esther earns relatively enough to cater for her family sufficiently. Harriet too is able to earn from hairdressing which enables her to live comfortably with her children. 

These young ladies’ persistence, resilience, positive thinking and the continual support from HFLK led to their success. 

At GCP we strive to pave ways to a better future and change statuses.

We equip and empower the young ladies who join the Girl Care Program, HFLK sponsors them to vocational training. Since 2019, 39 girls have benefited from the program. 15 girls graduating with certificates or diplomas in different fields from vocational training institutions and 24 girls completed training with local artisans.