How non-formal vocational skills training empowered Gertrude to rebuild her life.

by Stories of Change

In Omugo extension refugee settlement, Gertrude, a 27-year-old single mother Ugandan, faced extreme hardship after the loss of her mother during her secondary education and the death of her husband in 2019. Her life was defined by grief and struggle. Left to care for her one child and five younger siblings with no income or support from the father, she was forced to drop out of school in term one of her Senior 4 class. She spent her days doing difficult “leja-leja” (casual labor) work, often working for food, soap, salt and other family basic needs. Gertrude’s daily life was marked by overwhelming emotions, leaving her stressed and without hope for life.

The turning point came in July 2025, when Gertrude saw an advert for out-of-school youths non-formal vocational skills training by Kulika Uganda in partnership with Wilde Ganzen. “I saw the advert pinned at the innovation center in Ofua 4, which previously I did casual labor of fetching water during its construction, I recognised it as a potential path forward for me, also desire to overcome my past failures-including a memorable and unsuccessful attempt at making mandazi, I applied for the baking and catering trade and I was accepted,” she explains.

During the early two-months of the training, Gertrude quickly acquired skills in baking mandazi, cakes, tamia and developed a desire to start her own business as she is continuing with the training, unfortunately she did not have any source of capital to meet this desire.

“It was not easy for me, I had too much fear-but through the life skills sessions that were part of the training components, I learned to open up to my trainer about my worrying financial condition-I requested for an opportunity to support my trainer in restaurant work before the start and end of each training day, I did that for the first two months,” Gertrude narrates, through a modest daily wage of Ugshs 2000 (USD 0.55) for assisting her trainer, she found a way to start her own small business of selling tea and bread in the local trading center.

This initial venture, assisted with the help of her young sister, led to a new opportunity. With a friend’s support, she secured a small room in a new market located in Omugo 6 and expanded her services to include tasty products like tamia, sweet potato crisps, pancakes and actual food.
Today, Gertrude’s small restaurant business thrives. She attracts customers with competitive pricing, and her daily profit of Ugshs 4000 (USD 1.12) enables her to provide food, clothes, and school fees for her child and siblings.

“The food that used to be a visitor in my family is truly now my daily bread,” Gertrude says, highlighting a powerful shift in her life. With her restaurant, she can consistently provide three meals a day for her family and pay for her child’s school fees-a great contrast to the days of working odd jobs for tuition. Amidst her challenges of limited capital to procure plates, saucepans, tables, chairs, she is rather trying to save money to one day build her own permanent restaurant and purchase items including a fridge to sell cold drinks, a testament to her business instincts and ambition.

This journey has not only transformed her finances but her well-being. “The greatest change is the reduced stress in my life,” she explains, her voice full of newfound confidence plans to balance her current business with the future group project when start-up is given.

Gertrude’s story is a testament to how vocational skills training, combined with resilience and a supportive community, can transform lives. It demonstrates how powerful skills-based learning creates sustainable livelihoods and restores hope for those facing extraordinary hardships.

Bausa Community Managed Savings Group (CMSG)- A Year of Growth and Transformation

by with 4 Comments Stories of Change

In the quiet and resilient community of Olugonga Village, Geya Parish, Bijo Sub- County, a remarkable transformation is unfolding through the efforts of the Bausa Community Managed Savings Group (CMSG). Established to promote a culture of saving and financial independence, the group has become a beacon of hope and empowerment for its 30(9M, 21F) members. With dedication, trust, and collective discipline, the group has successfully completed a full year of saving, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward improved livelihoods.

Over the past year, the Bausa CMSG members consistently contributed to their savings, no matter how small the amount. This commitment culminated in an impressive total of 4,986,000/=, which was shared among the members at the end of the cycle. The share out ceremony was a moment of joy and celebration, symbolizing the fruits of unity and perseverance. For many members, it was their first experience of holding such a meaningful amount of money, earned through their own effort and collective accountability.

The group’s lending activities also proved to be a cornerstone of their success. Through careful management of their revolving fund, the Bausa CMSG generated over UGX 900,000 in interest from loans borrowed and repaid by members. These loans played a critical role in supporting household needs, small scale businesses, and emergency situations throughout the year. The interest earned was then added to the savings pool, further increasing the group’s overall share-out amount and strengthening the financial base for the next cycle.

During the share-out event, the excitement among members was palpable. The highest earner walked away with 398,000/=, a sum that represented not only personal achievement but also the tangible outcome of the group’s shared commitment. Many members expressed deep gratitude for the initiative, noting how it had instilled in them the discipline of saving and the confidence to manage their own finances effectively.

Beyond savings, the Bausa CMSG integrated a special Education Fund, designed to support members in meeting school-related expenses for their children. Several parents shared how this fund helped them pay school fees on time and keep their children in school, reducing the financial pressure on families. “Before joining this group, I used to struggle to find money for school fees,” said one parent. “But now, I plan ahead through the group’s savings and education fund. My children no longer miss classes.”

The impact of the savings group has extended beyond education. Many members have developed ambitions to start or expand small businesses using the money received from the share-out. Others have pledged to reinvest their earnings into the next saving cycle with increased contributions, motivated by the tangible benefits they have seen. The culture of saving, once unfamiliar to many, has now become an integral part of their livelihoods.

Through this initiative, the group has fostered unity, mutual support, and empowerment—particularly among women. The Bausa CMSG has become a platform for members to share experiences, learn financial management skills, and support one another through challenges. The lessons learned from this year’s savings cycle have built confidence and inspired a renewed sense of purpose within the community.

As the Bausa CMSG prepares for its next saving cycle, members are optimistic about the future. With plans to improve their record-keeping, increase savings, and diversify their activities, the group is determined to achieve even greater milestones. Their story stands as a shining example of how community-based financial initiatives can transform lives, build resilience, and lay the foundation for sustainable development in Yumbe District.

 

 

From Hopelessness to Hope, My Journey with Bausa CMSG

by with No Comment Stories of Change

My name is Nelda Charity Shamim, a 25-year-old woman from Olugonga Village in Bijo Sub- County, Yumbe District. Before joining Bausa Community Managed Savings Group, I was a very different person. I used to live day by day without a clear purpose. I would only think about what my family would eat next, and I had no idea how to plan or save for the future. Even though I was doing a small ground nut paste selling business, the money I got was only enough for food. I was lazy, hopeless, and I never believed that I could change my life. In fact, before joining the group, I had never held more than 100,000/= in my hands. One day, my close friend in the village told me about the Stromme Foundation’s Community Managed Savings Groups (CMSGs) being implemented in partnership with Kulika Uganda. She encouraged me to join because the group was helping people learn how to save and improve their lives. At first, I hesitated because I didn’t believe that such groups could make a real difference. But something inside me told me to give it a try. I finally decided to join the Bausa CMSG, and that was the turning point of my life.”

“When I joined, the trainers(CBF) from Stromme Foundation and Kulika Uganda began to teach us very important lessons. We learned about visioning, why people should save, and other useful topics like loan management, share out, conflict management, record keeping, anti-corruption and action audits. For the first time in my life, I began to understand that saving money was not just for rich people, it was for anyone with determination. These trainings opened my eyes and gave me the motivation to work harder. I made a personal goal that I would contribute 15,000/= every week. 5,000/= for savings, 5,000/= for the social fund, and 5,000/= for the education fund.”

“Honestly, it was not easy. Sometimes business was slow, and I would struggle to raise the money for the weekly savings. But because I had learned about planning and visioning, I pushed myself to work harder. I started waking up earlier to sell my paste and move around the trading center to find customers. Week after week, I kept saving faithfully. I wanted to prove to myself that I could be disciplined and achieve something meaningful. My goal was to become self-reliant and to show that women, too, can manage money wisely.”

“When the share-out day came, I was anxious but also excited. I couldn’t believe my eyes when my name was called as the highest saver in the group, with a total of 529,000/= I almost fainted out of happiness. I had never seen such an amount of money in my entire life. Tears of joy filled my eyes, and I felt proud of myself. I realized that all the effort, sacrifices, and lessons had truly paid off. That moment gave me a deep sense of dignity and confidence as a woman.”

“At first, my husband didn’t believe in savings groups. In the middle of the cycle, I encouraged him to join, but he refused. He told me that people in the group would eat my money. But I had faith in our group leaders and trust in the organization because they trained us every week and guided us on how to manage our savings. When I finally received my share-out, my husband and the entire family were shocked but very happy. We sat together as a family and planned how to use the money wisely.”

“We agreed to buy two goats, each costing 120,000/=, which we have already bought. These goats are not just animals to us, they are our family investment. I have also invest the remaining balance of the money to improve from paste business to beans business and merchandise business in the village so that I can earn more income. I am now confident that when my four children reach secondary school, I will be able to pay their school fees, especially when the goats start producing. This saving group has given me hope, strength, and a reason to dream again.”

“I now look at life differently. I believe in hard work, planning, and saving. I have set a new goal to save even more in the next cycle and to involve my husband fully in our family savings journey. My message to all women in our community is this: Don’t wait for someone to rescue you. Start where you are. Join a savings group, learn, and work hard. You can transform your life just like I did. The Bausa CMSG has shown me that even small steps, when taken with faith and discipline, can lead to great change. I am proud to say that I am no longer hopeless—I am now a woman with vision and purpose.”

 

A Young Mother’s Journey From Struggle To Opportunity

by with No Comment Stories of Change

My name is Sakaya Magret. I am 19 years old and a South Sudanese refugee living in Zone 5, Village 20 in Bidibidi refugee settlement. Life has not been easy for me. I have two children, and we live with my grandmother. She is old and cannot support us much. My husband went back to South Sudan, so I had to be the one to provide for the family.

Before Stromme Foundation and Kulika Uganda came into my life, I used to plait natural hair for women in the community. This was my only way of earning money. During the festive seasons, I would get many customers, and the income was better. But most of the year, business was very slow. Sometimes, I could barely make enough to buy food for my children. It was a very stressful time. I would think about the future and feel afraid because I did not know how I was going to raise my children or take care of my grandmother. Many nights, I went to bed worried about tomorrow.

One day, community leaders came to our area and told us about a program called CVET. They said Stromme Foundation and Kulika Uganda were looking for young people to join and learn skills that could help them start businesses or get jobs. I knew immediately that I wanted to join. I registered my name and was accepted into the program. The first part of the training was life skills, which lasted three months. I knew I had to focus more than anyone else because of my situation at home. Every day, I listened carefully to the trainers and participated fully. These life skills helped me think positively, plan for my future, and believe in myself.

 

DIT Assessment

After the life skills training, we were told to choose a trade that was in high demand in the market. There were many options, but I chose tailoring. I have always admired people who make clothes, and I believed this skill could help me earn a stable income. The tailoring training covered both theory and practical lessons. I worked very hard to understand every step the trainer showed us. I would sometimes practice extra after class because I wanted to perfect my work. I was determined to succeed. After three months of training, we did our assessment with DIT. I was confident in what I had learned, but I did not want to just sit and wait for the results like many others. I knew I needed to start using my skills immediately to earn money.

I decided to hire a sewing machine from a villager. The machine was not being used, so I paid 15,000 shillings per month to use it. This was not easy because it was money I could have used for food, but I saw it as an investment in my future. Slowly, I began getting customers. Some came for repairs, others for new clothes. I worked hard to please each one so they would tell others about me. Soon, I started making about 35,000 shillings profit per month. It may not sound like much to some people, but for me, it was a big change. With this money, I can now pay school fees for my two children. I can also buy basic needs for my family without depending on anyone. I feel proud that I can stand on my own and take care of my loved ones.

My next goal is to expand my business and move it to the trading center, where I can get more customers. I also dream of owning my own sewing machine, so I don’t have to pay rent for the one I use now. I have no regrets about choosing tailoring. It has given me a way to earn an income every day, not just during festive seasons. More importantly, it has given me hope and the confidence to plan for my future. I want to thank Stromme Foundation and Kulika Uganda for opening my eyes to see my potential. Without their training and encouragement, I would still be struggling with seasonal work and no clear plan for my life.

I also encourage my fellow youth, especially those I trained with, not to just sit and wait for opportunities to come to them. We all have skills now — we must find ways to use them to earn a living and change our lives. For anyone who wishes to support my dream, I welcome you. Having my own sewing machine will help me grow my business faster and inspire more young people in my community to believe that they too can succeed.

This is my story, a story of struggle, determination, and hope for a better future.