Title: YOUTH TRANSFORMATION THROUGH VOCATIONAL SKILLS
Life Before
Ouma Kevin Eriesa is 23 years old under Childfund Sponsorship Program. He comes from Buwerero A village Jinja Parish Lumino Sub County in Buhenye community Kevin lost his father and mother in 1999 and 2004 respectively when he was 8 years of age. Kevin was brought up by his paternal grandmother. Kevin found life very hard during school days since he did not have any body to stand with him. He irregularly attended class. However, he was only lucky that he was a bright boy and on several occasions the school administration could excuse him from being sent for school requirements. At the age of 16 years, Kevin was to provide for the family needs since the grandmother was unable to perform any duties to provide for the family. Kevin had many thoughts including starting up an IGA but he remembers that capital was the stumbling block and there was no one to support him.
Nature of intervention
Kevin gained hope when one community volunteers tipped him about the interventions BUACOFE implements of supporting youth for vocational trainings. The fact that he was still young, he thought he could not be considered. However, he was identified as one of the beneficiaries of the program. This was based on the status of the family (Child headed household).Kevin was enrolled for vocational training at Pioneer Institute in Iganga to acquire skills in building and concrete practice a course that lasted for nine months. Kevin narrates “It is through the skills I attained that I stand as a man today. I am able to support a family of 5 members” and all this is through the efforts of Child Fund.
Life after support
After completing the course, Kevin did not have the experience to compete with the mansions around the community. He however, resorted to working alongside his colleagues to support him gain experience. He did this for a period of one and a half years. He later gained the skills and experience to work independently.
Today Kevin has the skill and experiences that community now trust him and can contract him to construct for them their permanent houses. Kevin earns on average three hundred thousand shillings per month. Kevin is able to support the five member of the family including his grandmother.
Future plan
Kevin’s future plan is to join a VSLA group where he will be able to save money for a period of one year and after that he hopes to advance and hopefully he becomes an engineer.
Conclusion
In conclusion Kevin narrates “He thanks BUACOFE because if it was not the organization he could maybe be a street boy or a wasted person in the community. he continues…..the organization has created and impact in the lives of the youth within its operational area and this needs to continue since there are many youth in our communities.
Compiled by: Francis Mangeni
CDF-Buhenye Community
October 16, 2018
