Even with the coming of Universal Primary Education, many people in Kamuli district remained illiterate because of reasons like early child marriages, especially for girls. To resuscitate life, many young mothers in Kamuli are forming local social village savings associations where they are relying on small loans to start up businesses.
The Vine Uganda, through its community development programme, identified these community challenges and gaps and introduced Functional Adult Literacy classes and hands-on skills.
Speaking at the Vine 6th graduation ceremony where 170 Functional Adult Literacy learners and 7 women graduated in tailoring recently, Gari Meacham, the President of The Vine, said with God everything is possible and that the graduates have proven that with faith and endurance, the impossible becomes real.
Meacham underscored the value of literacy and knowledge now that they can run away from thumb printing, being cheated off figures, agreements and documentation. Meacham challenged the graduates to support the families and communities better.
“Literacy brings dignity, unlocks a world of knowledge and helps you to be treated fairly, and today by God’s providence and grace, we honour you with both respect and celebration,” she said, and called for discipleship to take salvation to maturity by bringing hope of Christ to every soul touched “and in return for this given gift, give it back to God.”
Richard Mwogereze, the Executive Director of The Vine Uganda, assured that with practical hands-on training, assessments and real-life projects, they have been able to instil competencies to make their students relevant in the communities said the skills project is to provide education for life so as to accelerate sustainable development and transformation in communities.
He urged the graduates to live by the organisation’s vision, ideals and focus, saying their completion is a major step towards personal and community transformation.
“The Vine Uganda welcomes you to learn and ushers you to the world of work to serve. Be different and bound by our core values of “to love God” and knowledge to change the world. Integrity, spirituality and morality will draw customers to you,” Mwogereze charged.
Vero Mirembe, who was the best tailoring student, revealed that The Vine “rescued” many young girls and mothers from despair. She said with skills acquired, they will be able to support themselves, at last have dignity, be economically liberated and change for the better.
“The Vine has lifted many young girls and mothers, giving us hope filled with faith, and in God’s trust we shall bear the much valued fruits in His Glory,” she said after receiving her start-up sewing machine and kit.
Kamuli District chairperson Maxwell Kuwembula, in his speech delivered by his vice chairperson Sarah Sambya, emphasised that the economy is changing from a job to a skills economy, so without skills, no job is envisaged.
Kuwembula said The Vine was spot on in its skilling aspect because equality and affirmative action for women and youth can best be achieved through honest work and self-employment as the government is short of jobs.
“Go to the field, build trust through timely and quality delivery, but also be innovative and go the extra mile to add value to your work,” he advised.
