According to our research, conducted in January 2019 in eastern Uganda, we established that 60% of the girls drop out of school because of poverty related issues like, lack of school fees and scholastic materials lack of Sanitary pads during their menstrual cycle period and more, 24% because of forced marriage and 12% because of lack of interest and parental guidance. 98% of the girls that fall out of school get married in the next one year.
On top of that, the number of girls enrolment in schools is lower than that of boys while girl’s school drop-out rate is higher. Consequently, these girls become mothers at an early age not by choice but mostly by forced marriage by their fathers in seek of quick money in terms of bride price.
Why It Matters
Most of these young mothers and women resort to peasant farming in their resident communities but it is just not enough to provide for their family needs. These young mothers end up selling their harvest to cater for family needs like medication, clothing etc which again exposes their families to poverty.
They expressed dire interest in gaining extensive developmental skills besides farming so they can expand their income generation activities to be in position to support their young ones.
What Needs Funding
The project focus is on skills development. Our goal is to train women and youth how to use sewing machines so they can secure employment in the Job market or establish an income generating activity hence improving their livelihoods. We therefore need tools (52 sewing machines) in order to implement this project. This will empower over 150 women and youth in one year with the skill needed to establish an income-generating activity hence promoting self sustainability.
Measuring Impact
Our impact and success are measured by the number of youth and women who will acquire skills to create income generating activities in the community of Busibe Budhutu and Kamuli at large.
Sustainability
To ensure sustainability, we plan to establish a SUUBI training centre that will train different cohorts to ensure that the tools will benefit a bigger number of beneficiaries. The training centre will be under the management of Amacue Foundation and we will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the tools hence extending the skill in the community. Monitoring will be done by Amacue Foundation representatives on ground in conjunction with Community leaders.
