Inspire the Next Generation
Mukisa Foundation MSC Story
I participated in the VHT training on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Disability, from this training, I acquired diverse knowledge that I am able to support my community better. During the training especially on Disability, I got to understand the different types and causes of Disabilities, and how to handle or refer the children in my community. This was a great eye opener.
My community still views disability as a curse or punishment and even witchcraft , I have since changed people’s mind set on this, I have been able to refer a number of children to Mukisa Foundation for support.
I have extended the same training especially disability to my community members at the local council level. Through our community dialogues , I always ask for extra time to re emphasize the need to support children and persons living with disabilities.
I am surprised at the number of calls I receive from local council leaders about the children who need to be referred interventions. I have also referred them to Mukisa and are receiving services
ESAU MSC story
I was invited to a dialogue meeting for teenage girls in Nakawa by ESAU. We all talked about our life stories, the pain we were going through. Talking about my pain helped my healing. Speakers at the dialogues encouraged us to forgive one another. I was still angry but came to the realization that I needed to forgive my father. I feel a great burden has been lifted off my heart. Psychosocial support is great therapy, it helps you understand your pain, talk about it and leads you to a road of recovery. Listening in to stories of others helped me know that there are more like me and I am not alone.
During the dialogues, we were asked to find livelihoods for ourselves as giving birth meant we needed to fend for our children. This encouraged me to start some income generation. With the money I got from the meeting, I bought jack fruits and sold at Nakawa market and got a profit of UGx100, 000. I then bought a sack of silver fish, sold off and got UGX 500,000 from the proceeds. I bought more silver fish- 4 sacks to be exact and sold off and got UGX 2m. This enabled me buy a piece of land back home. My family now respects me because of my investments, I am consulted always by my family on pertinent issues at home. My sales have helped me interact better with the community and contribute to community development. I can now fend better for my family as compared to before where we struggled even to have a meal.
IPF Hope Hub MSC Story
1. What changes have you experienced as a result of participating in the project?
This project has been a game-changer for me in so many ways. Initially, I delved deep into the world of social media marketing and online business strategies, transforming how I engage with my customers. Before, navigating the digital landscape felt like uncharted territory, but now I feel like I’ve unlocked the secret to reaching and captivating my audience. It’s not just about posting pretty pictures anymore; it’s about forging meaningful connections and driving real business growth. Moreover, being part of this project has opened doors to a vibrant digital community, where I’ve connected with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry experts. The friendship and knowledge-sharing have been invaluable, fueling my passion and propelling me forward. And perhaps most importantly, the project has given my business a major visibility boost, especially on social media platforms. Suddenly, I’m not just another face in the crowd; I’m a sought-after henna artist and bridal service provider, attracting clients from near and far.
2. How have these changes affected your life or the community?
These changes have had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. Personally, I feel like I’ve undergone a metamorphosis – from a hesitant entrepreneur to a confident pacesetter. The newfound skills and confidence have seeped into every aspect of my life, empowering me to take risks and embrace opportunities And in my business, the impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. I’m not just running a business anymore; I’m creating experiences, making dreams come true, and leaving a lasting impression on every client I serve. Moreover, my success story has ignited a spark within the community, inspiring others to dream big and pursue their passions. I’ve become a beacon of hope, a symbol of what’s possible when you dare to chase your dreams.
3. Were there any unexpected or unintended changes?
Absolutely. Along this journey, I’ve encountered unexpected twists and turns that have only added to the richness of my experience. Firstly, I never anticipated the overwhelming support and recognition I would receive from the community. It’s humbling and exhilarating at the same time, but it also comes with a newfound sense of responsibility to continue exceeding expectations. Additionally, witnessing the shift in the community’s perception of digital entrepreneurship has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. What started as a personal quest for growth has evolved into a movement, a catalyst for change that is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape in our community. And while these changes were unexpected, they’ve only reinforced my belief in the power of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance.
AFFCAD MSC story
I had never thought as a youth, that there’s’ need for me to be innovative by diversifying my incomes if at all I must survive in our Uganda. To that as a result of the AFFCAD training in Entreprenuership, I thought it wise and had to implement what I had been trained. “The training was very good because it has enabled me to improve my business through book keeping. However, the most important part of this training was the aspect of business identification where the lead coaches encouraged us to start up a business NOW! And am happy to say I now own my second business which I started from my savings from my saloon business. the second business I started it with only UGX 345,000(Three hundred and forty-five thousand shillings only. I make profits of a round UGX42,000 (Forty two thousand shillings a week, and as a result, am able to pay school fees of my child in time, I cannot stop thanking AFFCAD by the way at first I thought AFFCAD is just wasting our time, Kumbe Kyaddala
GUIU MSC story
Magombe Justine, parent, Nakawa Division
As a leader and parent, I was not informed about handling children as a single mum, especially if they have a problem. I am a single mum and I used to face many challenges trying to work as well as raising my children. I would go back home late after work and sometimes my children would arrive even later. And due to frustration, I would just beat them up and not listen to them whenever they reached home late. After the training by Girl Up Initiative Uganda, I learned about children’s rights, how parents can support their children, and where to go for help in case of a problem, like Probation Officers. I have been applying this knowledge in my home, now things are different, we talk and listen to each other. As I speak, my children’s lives have improved, their school grades are better as of last term, and I’m determined to help them succeed in life.
SBS MSC Story
Kwagala Daisy is a coach from Bumalilivu group in Kansanga Makindye division is a 37year old mother of five. Daisy attended the street Business School training under the LCA JAP II second phase which run from May through to September. She is very proud of the training that has made her bold and so resilient. As a mother and wife who had no source of income; she could not wait for the SBS training when she heard of the opportunity. This particular cohort of SBS class was a demand from the local community leaders for more training to be conducted in other parts of Makindye.
According to Daisy, the first module of getting out of your comfort zone impacted her so much. She realized that she can do something for herself to better her by starting something without fear of any one and managing her time to get some money, than spending time with friends and watching television. She decided to believe in herself and found ways to raise money for her business by selling her old items that she hadn’t used in a long time.
After module 3 which is “finding capital and starting small”, Daisy quickly sold two of her old handbags at 5000sh and got 10,000. Together with her savings of 20,000 shillings, she now had a total of 30,000sh. She bought 2 charcoal stoves at 2,000 each, 1kg of floor, 1/2kg of soya, sugar at 4500/- cups at 15,000 and a tray at 2000/-. She borrowed saucepans and flasks from her mother and immediately started selling delicious porridge in Kitalangwa Kansanga.
Daisy has worked hard to grow and stabilize her business. She now makes 2kgs of porridge, she has bought a bigger saucepan and added tea to her business. That is not all, with her savings and again with the same concept of starting small, Coach Daisy has started a second business of selling second hand clothes. She hawks her cloths in the morning to early afternoon hours then settle back in the evening to start of her hot beverage business. She manages to track the growth of her business through bookkeeping and has now joined a village savings group where she saves 20,000/- per week.
She is so proud of the training that has changed her life, that she can support children, and the friends look up to her as a hard working woman, they say she is so inspiring. She is planning and saving for a restaurant next year.
Empowering VHTs for Community Impact
I participated in the VHT training on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Disability, from this training, I acquired diverse knowledge that I am able to support my community better. During the training especially on Disability, I got to understand the different types and causes of Disabilities, and how to handle or refer the children in my community. This was a great eye opener.
My community still views disability as a curse or punishment and even witchcraft, I have since changed people’s mind set on this, I have been able to refer a number of children to Mukisa Foundation for support.
I have extended the same training especially disability to my community members at the local council level. Through our community dialogues, I always ask for extra time to re-emphasize the need to support children and persons living with disabilities.
I am surprised at the number of calls I receive from local council leaders about the children who need to be referred interventions. I have also referred them to Mukisa and are receiving services
- Significance: This story illustrates the empowerment of a VHT member through training on Non-Communicable Diseases, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, and Disability. The VHT member successfully changed the community’s perception of disability, referring children to Mukisa Foundation for support. The story emphasizes the transformative power of knowledge dissemination and community engagement.
Overcoming Pain through Psychosocial Support
I was invited to a dialogue meeting for teenage girls in Nakawa by ESAU. We all talked about our life stories, the pain we were going through. Talking about my pain helped my healing. Speakers at the dialogues encouraged us to forgive one another. I was still angry but came to the realization that I needed to forgive my father. I feel a great burden has been lifted off my heart. Psychosocial support is great therapy, it helps you understand your pain, talk about it and leads you to a road of recovery. Listening in to stories of others helped me know that there are more like me and I am not alone.
During the dialogues, we were asked to find livelihoods for ourselves as giving birth meant we needed to fend for our children. This encouraged me to start some income generation. With the money I got from the meeting, I bought jack fruits and sold at Nakawa market and got a profit of UGx100, 000. I then bought a sack of silver fish, sold off and got UGX 500,000 from the proceeds. I bought more silver fish- 4 sacks to be exact and sold off and got UGX 2m. This enabled me buy a piece of land back home. My family now respects me because of my investments, I am consulted always by my family on pertinent issues at home. My sales have helped me interact better with the community and contribute to community development. I can now fend better for my family as compared to before where we struggled even to have a meal.
- Significance: This story portrays an individual’s journey of healing and empowerment after participating in dialogue meetings organized by ESAU. The protagonist not only finds healing but also transforms her life economically by starting income-generating activities. The unexpected positive outcomes, such as community respect and contributions to community development, highlight the broader impact of psychosocial support beyond individual well-being.
Digital Entrepreneurship and Community Impact
- What changes have you experienced as a result of participating in the project?
This project has been a game-changer for me in so many ways. Initially, I delved deep into the world of social media marketing and online business strategies, transforming how I engage with my customers. Before, navigating the digital landscape felt like uncharted territory, but now I feel like I’ve unlocked the secret to reaching and captivating my audience. It’s not just about posting pretty pictures anymore; it’s about forging meaningful connections and driving real business growth. Moreover, being part of this project has opened doors to a vibrant digital community, where I’ve connected with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry experts. The friendship and knowledge-sharing have been invaluable, fuelling my passion and propelling me forward. And perhaps most importantly, the project has given my business a major visibility boost, especially on social media platforms. Suddenly, I’m not just another face in the crowd; I’m a sought-after henna artist and bridal service provider, attracting clients from near and far.
- How have these changes affected your life or the community?
These changes have had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. Personally, I feel like I’ve undergone a metamorphosis – from a hesitant entrepreneur to a confident pacesetter. The newfound skills and confidence have seeped into every aspect of my life, empowering me to take risks and embrace opportunities and in my business, the impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. I’m not just running a business anymore; I’m creating experiences, making dreams come true, and leaving a lasting impression on every client I serve. Moreover, my success story has ignited a spark within the community, inspiring others to dream big and pursue their passions. I’ve become a beacon of hope, a symbol of what’s possible when you dare to chase your dreams.
- Were there any unexpected or unintended changes?
Absolutely. Along this journey, I’ve encountered unexpected twists and turns that have only added to the richness of my experience. Firstly, I never anticipated the overwhelming support and recognition I would receive from the community. It’s humbling and exhilarating at the same time, but it also comes with a newfound sense of responsibility to continue exceeding expectations. Additionally, witnessing the shift in the community’s perception of digital entrepreneurship has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. What started as a personal quest for growth has evolved into a movement, a catalyst for change that is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape in our community. And while these changes were unexpected, they’ve only reinforced my belief in the power of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance.
- Significance: The story emphasizes the transformative impact of a project focused on social media marketing and online business strategies. The participant experiences personal and professional growth, becoming a symbol of success and inspiration within the community. Unexpectedly, the project sparks a shift in the community’s perception of digital entrepreneurship, contributing to a broader movement for change.