In 2019, Kulika Uganda implemented a project entitled “Reducing poverty by promoting professional training for adolescents from refugee and the host community in West Nile” in partnership with Malteser International and GIZ. The project aims at poverty reduction and sustainable improvement of living conditions of young people from refugee and host community in West Nile region. The major problems that the project is addressing include, supply and demand for further training opportunities do not coincide, Existing educational offers are difficult to access and geographically far away from the refugees, Educational qualifications do not guarantee employment for the trainees, dilapidated infrastructure at St Jude Omugo vocational school. These will be addressed through development of infrastructure at St. Jude Omugo Vocational Training Institute, conducting professional skills training under formal and non – formal trades, establishment of innovation centers in Rhino camp and Imvepi refugee settlement where Creative Capacity buildings trainings will be conducted. The project will benefit 2,450 adolescents between the age of 18 – 30 years from refugee and host communities in West Nile.
Progress report
The Project was implemented in Terego and Madi-Okollo districts. St Jude Omugo Vocational School was supported to improve the learning environment through provision of assorted teaching materials, computers, installation of a solar system, construction of a 4-stance latrine for boys and 6-room shower for girl, construction of a 165-meter wall fence, construction of 3 classroom blocks, 2 dormitory blocks, 1 library block using zero carbon technology.
A total of 1,033 beneficiaries (557 males and 476 females) completed their non-formal trainings in various trades. 20 teachers (4 females, 16 male) received refresher training.
Activities to create awareness of the project among stakeholders were undertaken. A career talk for the refugees and host communities was held to guide them on selection of the different courses/trades available at St Jude Omugo Technical School.
A baseline survey was conducted to gather key information to structure a systematic assessment of the implementation of the project activities.
6 Project staff were recruited. Procurement of the office equipment, vehicle, and motor cycles was done.
2,450 beneficiaries were identified to benefit from formal, non-formal and creative capacity building (CCB) trainings. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, only one CCB training in the settlements was conducted.
Construction of toilets for boys and shower rooms for girls at St Jude Omugo Technical School was completed.
First phase of construction of the perimeter wall was completed.
Hand tools and equipment for conducting CCB trainings were procured.
We donated 1,000 face masks and 300 hoods to the task force of Arua District to respond to Covid -19. 6 groups with total size of 119 from refugee camps and host communities were trained in making of liquid soap and face masks in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Project is implemented in partnership with Malteser International.
Refugee settlement
2 innovation centers for training and practicing creative capacity building were constructed in Rhino camp and Imvepi refugee settlements. 483 beneficiaries (214 male, 269 female) were trained. 15 prototypes and technologies were developed. 47 participants (18 refugees, 16 host community, 5 international participants and 5 local organizers) attended a co-creation summit at which 8 technologies were refined and popularized in the communities for commercial use.The Project was implemented in partnership with BMZ and Malteser International
