‘THESE TRAININGS WERE A REVELATION AND HAVE RENEWED MY TEACHING SKILLS’

Mwogererwa Deograssious is a senior instructor of Fashion and Design at the Nile Vocational Institute in Njeru, Uganda. We spoke with him about the collaboration with Gered Gereedschap and the developments at the school.

‘The collaboration with Gered Gereedschap has been very valuable. I have personally benefited from it as well. For example, I participated in three refresher and capacity-building workshops that were specially organized for vocational instructors like myself.

These sessions were a true revelation for me. They helped me learn many things I did not know before. Moreover, they refreshed my teaching skills, which is essential for effective interaction with my students. I specifically learned a lot about new teaching methods, such as the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and project-based learning. These concepts have equipped me with modern skills that have significantly improved my students’ understanding of the lessons.

Gered Gereedschap also supported us with sewing machines, as well as scholarships. These were provided to 17 students in my section — 15 women and 2 men — who are currently pursuing a national certification in fashion and design. All these students come from impoverished families, and thanks to the scholarships, they can focus on their studies without financial worries.

In addition, we have greatly benefited from the equipment that Gered Gereedschap has provided us. Previously, we faced a shortage of sewing machines and did not have any electric sewing machines. The new equipment has significantly improved our capacity to train students. They can now better appreciate what they are learning and develop their skills.

An additional benefit is that the students now make uniforms for other pupils at our school. This is not only an opportunity for them to put their skills into practice, but it also generates a source of income for the school. Overall, the support from Gered Gereedschap has helped us to teach in line with the current curriculum and provide our students with the knowledge and skills they need in the fashion and design sector.

I am grateful for the opportunities Gered Gereedschap has provided us and I look forward to continuing to help my students in their development. This is not just my story, but also the story of many students who, thanks to this partnership, can look forward to a better future.’