‘WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS!’

“When I hear that a former student has gotten a good job or started a successful small business, I feel incredibly happy.” Mary Anena claps her hands. “Yes, really happy, because it’s not something that can be taken for granted when you know the background of most of the students here.”

PROBLEMS

Mary teaches tailoring courses at one of FIDRA’s three training centers. She also teaches English classes. “Many students here only have a primary school education. They often come from poor families with not enough money for further education. Especially girls often drop out of school. They go to work to help support their parents and siblings or to take care of their own child. There are also many AIDS orphans here. Add to that the high unemployment and other issues, and you can understand how much more rewarding it is to hear that a former student has done well.”

IMPORTANCE

“The work of FIDRA is of great importance in this part of Uganda. We give young people the chance to follow vocational training that they otherwise would not have had. To provide these courses, good machines and other tools are essential. That’s why I’m so happy with the sewing machines we received from Gered Gereedschap. They are excellent machines for my lessons. And because I now have more sewing machines, I can accept more students. Our old machines also break down less frequently because they are used less intensively. In short, we have made great progress.”