‘I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE’

For Afra Nakanwagi, a 19-year-old student at Kimuna Technical Services (KTS), the future seemed uncertain when she had to end her formal education. Her mother, a single parent, could no longer afford the school fees. “I felt like my opportunities were over,” says Afra. “My mother wanted me to choose a typical ‘female’ trade, like tailoring, but that wasn’t what I wanted.”

Instead, Afra chose something more challenging. Through friends, she heard about KTS, where she was given the opportunity to take an automotive engineering course, a trade often seen as ‘male’ in Uganda. “It seemed interesting, but I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” she says. Nevertheless, she decided to persevere.

THE POWER OF PRACTICAL LESSONS

In the first few months of the course, Afra struggled to master the necessary practical skills. The school did not have enough resources to give her and her fellow students hands-on experience. “We mostly learned theory, but I really wanted to work on cars,” she explains.

That situation changed when KTS received a shipment of tools and machines with the support of Gered Gereedschap. “When we got the new tools, everything changed,” says Afra. “We could finally work with real machines, and that made learning not only easier but also more fun. I really started to enjoy the work.”

CONFIDENCE AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Thanks to the new tools, Afra’s confidence grew tremendously. “Every day I look forward to going to school,” she proudly says. “I know that I’m really learning something now and that soon I’ll be ready for a job as a mechanic. Working with the machines gives me confidence that I can do it.”

In addition to the technical skills, the partnership with Makanika dot com also gives her hope for the future. “Through Makanika dot com, we’ll soon be able to connect directly with customers,” Afra says. “The idea that I can earn my own money and help my mother makes me very happy.”

Afra is determined to complete her education and support her family. “This opportunity has changed my whole life,” she says. “I know my future looks much better now because of everything I’ve learned here.”