On June 24th, Musana graduated its fourth class of women from our Skill Development Training Program. There were forty-one women who finished the fourteen week course, coming from various ages, educational backgrounds, and economic status. These women graduated in tailoring, knitting, or baking with a component of business, learning to market their own products. They will go on to be self-employed, dignified women, with the capacity to produce clothing or baked goods for individual customers or on a contract basis with larger institutions. With the ability to earn an income, they are empowered with the ability to support themselves and their families!
This may have been the fourth class to graduate from the program, but it was by far the most exciting and emotional for all of us at Musana. Six of the graduates were among the original eighty children that inspired Musana’s foundation nine years ago. It was amazing to see these women in their caps and gowns as they walked across the stage with dignity and pride, with the confidence and vision to be entrepreneurs. There were many tear-streaked faces as these young women gave testimonies about how far they have come, grateful for everything Musana has done in their lives. Who knows where they would be without Musana’s intervention in 2008! Now Jacinta, Aida, Susan, Racheal, Sandra, and Juliet will enter the working world as self-sufficient adults who have the skills and the knowledge to thrive. They can, in turn, serve as role models and economic engines in their communities and for the other children coming up at Musana!
It was an honor to have Iganga’s Resident District Commissioner (the highest local government official) attend the festivities and give a powerful speech, speaking into the impact Musana is having in the lives of Ugandans. As a woman of power in a very patriarchal community, she praised Musana’s efforts in empowering more strong independent women! ….Girl Power!
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