Youth Development

When Brenda left school in Primary Six due to financial constraints, it seemed like the end of her educational journey. As the eldest of six siblings, the weight of her family’s financial struggles left her feeling worthless. The inability to afford school fees and necessities halted the education of Aciro and her siblings, pushing them to the brink.

Amidst the harsh circumstances, Brenda, now 23, chose resilience over despair. She delved into the local brewing business, producing Ajon, a fermented alcohol popularly consumed among ethnic groups in Eastern Uganda.

However, the stress and frustration led her to consume a part of her own brew. This difficult period took a more challenging turn when she became pregnant by a peer who later abandoned her.

In a turn of fate, the year 2021 brought a ray of hope. She was identified as one of the youth eligible for vocational training support. She seized the opportunity and enrolled in a certificate course in Building and Concrete Practice at Lira Vocational Training Institute.

Her colleagues described her as a hardworking and focused girl.

“This course changed my life. I can now provide for my four-year-old son and support my siblings with essential needs,” she adds.

Brenda’s excellence in her certificate course paved the way for employment at a construction site in Katakwi town, where she earns a daily wage of sh20,000 ($5) which translates to sh600,000 ($161) per month.

Despite being one of the few women among over 60 men at the construction site, Brenda’s resilience and dedication did not go unnoticed.

Ivan Okodu, the site engineer, commends her for delivering quality work and exhibiting exemplary behaviour. He notes that her background did not hinder her success; in fact, he has observed that girls from similar backgrounds tend to excel.

The construction project Brenda is part of is church-funded, and Okodu emphasizes the importance of discipline and adherence to moral values.

She dreams of becoming an engineer in future.

“We operate in an inclusive and respectful environment at the site. Therefore, intimidation is not tolerated,” he adds.

Brenda, determined to advance further, saves sh5,000 ($1.34) weekly with her village savings group. “I want to pursue a diploma in Civil Engineering and my ultimate goal is to attain a degree in the same field.”