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“I have been able to return my brothers and sisters to school”
Annie* is 20 years old and lives in the district of Kyenjojo in Uganda. When she was at school, Annie became a member of one of our Child Rights Club, which had been set up by our partner, RIDE.
However, when Annie took on the responsibility of caring for her five younger siblings, she dropped out of secondary school and stopped attending her Child Rights Club. RIDE recognized that she needed more help and support, so she was trained as a hairdresser as part of our Vocational Training Program.
Annie used her start-up hairdressing kit to set up her own shop. From the money she earns from it, she has been able to set up a side business buying and selling vegetables and join a village savings and loans group through our Village Investors Program.
“I have been able to return my brothers and sisters to school who had dropped out due to lack of school fees and materials. I can always obtain money from my VIP group and purchase whatever they need… through selling my crops and with profits from my business.”
Using her hairdressing and enterprising skills, Annie is transforming her family’s future, and also helping other young women in her community. She has trained five vulnerable young women in her shop, three of whom still work with her and the two others have gone on to set up their own businesses!
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.
