DLLN Skilling Centers start in high gear

After the first COVID-19 case was officially confirmed in Uganda on the 22nd of March 2020, the government put in place some of Africa’s most stringent nationwide lockdown measures. Schools and businesses were closed, public gatherings banned, road and rail travel restricted, and a night time curfew introduced

The COVID-19 pandemic  impacted all aspects of life in Uganda, resulting in school closures, loss of jobs, and disruptions in access to health and social services. But no group felt the effects of the pandemic more than adolescent girls!

The high rates of teenage pregnancy can be attributed to disruption to programmes that support access to sexual reproductive health information and services to schoolgirls. Additionally, poverty has led to some parents to marry off their daughters in order to make money to survive.

According to UNICEF estimates, Ugandan school children stayed home without going to schools during the covid lock down. As a result, adolescent girls were deprived of the social protection that school offers and have been exposed to risks of sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, child marriages, and teenage pregnancies.

In order to curb this problem in Busoga, the Kyabazinga (King) His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV embarked on a journey to solicit for relief Aid for his people and among the donors is Tim kolschowsky foundation.

on 14th June 2022, while on a curtsey visit to the villages of Kagulu, Kidera and Bulembo, the President of Tim kolschowsky foundatioñ revealed that there is a plan of starting up a skilling Centre in Kagulu, Kidera, Buzaya and many other places in Busoga where these young parents will get skill in Tailoring, Hairdressing, shoes making, arts and crafts in order to earn a living and be self employed and this has been full filled.

“DLLN-Uganda continuing with the youth that were affected by covid 19 by equiping them with life skills for economic development, income generation and development. Each program is one year and all students will walk away with DIT certificates. We thank His Majesty for the support and good working Environment as well as the support given to the young people in Busoga Region and kingdom at large. We also thank our donors for the great work and contribution towards a successful child in Busoga and Uganda at large, our staff for the time and support given, please don’t give up and continue with the good work you are doing.” Said Prince Kitimbo Daniel, the Executive Director of DLLN Uganda while handing over 50 sewing machines, hairdressing equipment and crafts tools to the people of Kagulu.