Rose Academies Uganda celebrated the graduation of 20 young women on June 11, 2025, marking the successful completion of a year-long vocational training programme in tailoring, baking, and computer literacy. The ceremony at their Vocational Centre in Gweri Sub County capped off a 12 month journey for the graduates. During this period, the girls have gained practical skills and have all received government certification from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), the national body responsible for assessing vocational competency in Uganda.
Real Skills and Immediate Impact
By the end of this project, 17 of the girls sat for their DIT exams and passed, 10 completed tailoring training, seven finished bakery courses, and all participated in computer literacy and financial management sessions. The results were strong: three students earned A grades, one achieved A+, and the rest scored B+ or B.
The programme ran three days a week from February through October 2024, allowing the girls to manage household responsibilities while learning. They did internships at local businesses in Soroti city and Gweri trading centre, getting hands-on experience before their final exams in July (bakery) and November (tailoring).
Elizabeth Asekenye, a 16-year-old single mother, describes what changed: “Before this program, I had never touched a computer, something that I always looked at as a dream. Now I can do simple computer work and even help some people type and print documents.” She’s also making pastries at home and selling them at the market. “The money I earn helps me take care of my baby. I am so grateful because now I have skills that will help me for life.”
Community Celebration
The girls’ graduation drew local officials who have praised the programme’s impact. The programme coordinator emphasised how vocational training builds self-reliance and reduces poverty among young women in Gweri County. A representative from the district education office encouraged graduates to use their skills to create opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Several graduates shared their stories. One said she’d lost hope before the programme opened doors to a better future. Parents spoke with pride about their daughters’ new abilities. Some graduates even sold their tailored garments to guests during the ceremony.
Rose Academies CEO Susan Linda Stasi, who handed out certificates alongside the Inspector of Schools and the Community Engagement Officer, said seeing these girls earn vocational certificates was “her dream come true.”
Challenges and Realities
The programme hasn’t been without difficulties. Three girls couldn’t sit for their exams due to early marriages and pregnancies. Additionally, irregular attendance affected some students, often due to heavy workloads at home. The lack of emotional support from some parents left certain girls struggling with morale.
Parents did play an active role for most students. At an induction meeting in January 2024, they pledged to provide food and firewood so girls could have lunch during lessons. Some parents near the centre volunteered to prepare meals. The schedule was adjusted to weekends to accommodate girls repeating Primary Seven or attending secondary school.
What’s Next?
The DIT Level 1 certificate these young women earned qualifies them to apply for local jobs and to continue to Level 2 training at accredited vocational centres. With their new skills, they can enter the workforce, start businesses, or become economically independent.
Rose Academies plans to continue supporting rural youth education through similar initiatives. The programme ran from January 2024 through April 2025 with support from Soroptimist International Foundation making it possible for the participants to reach and recognise their potential. This partnership has meant the girls received everything they needed during their studies, covering tuition, training supplies, materials, and equipment including sewing machines, baking tools, computer workstations, and furniture.
Now, the girls and young women are earning income, supporting their families, and proving what’s possible when young women get the right support.
Further Information:
Soroptimist International Foundation is a Charitable Trust overseen by SI (Soroptimist International) Limited. Soroptimist International Foundation is currently managing legacies, a fund to Educate Women from War Torn Countries and projects in Kenya, Haiti, Nepal and Sierra Leone.
Donations to Soroptimist International Foundation to help us deliver future projects for women and girls are gratefully received.
For further information or to make enquires regarding legacies, please email hq@soroptimistinternational.org
