Background

Ray of Hope Africa (RAHA) with funding from US Embassy in Uganda through the PEPFAR Community Grants Program has been implementing the żYoung Women Empowerment and Income Enhancement through Entrepreneurships (YWEIE)ż project in collaboration with Kasese District Local Government, Kasese Municipality, targeting 60 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) with Vocational skills in Entrepreneurship and Business skills; Hair Dressing; Garment Designing/Fashion & Design; Tailoring and Knitting; and Sanitary Pads

Project aims: To equip 60 project beneficiaries with skills in; 
1. Entrepreneurship and Business management 
2. Hair Dressing 
3. Garment Designing/Fashion & Design 
4. Tailoring and Knitting 
5. Sanitary Pads 

Partners: United States Government – PEPFAR Program

Outcomes so far: Empowered 60 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) with Vocational skills in Entrepreneurship and Business Management; Hair Dressing; Garment Designing/Fashion & Design; Tailoring and Knitting; and Sanitary Pads.

In the course of project implementation, the project reached 100% (60) direct beneficiaries (AGYW), of whom, 24 AGYW trained in hair dressing, 28 in tailoring and knitting (includes 4 targeted for Garment and fashion designing) and 8 in Sanitary Pads making. A 3% of AGYW were aged between 10 ż 14, 27% aged between 15 ż 19 and 70% aged between 20 ż 24 years. All direct beneficiaries received Entrepreneurship and Business skills for 10 days. A total of 126 individuals indirectly benefited from this project through HIV testing, nutritional services among others. 

All AGYWs were tested for HIV, with all 60 presenting HIV negative sero status. In addition to the AGYWs, 65 indirect beneficiaries received HIV testing services, 46% of whom were males and 71% under the ages of 10. All infants and children were assessed for nutrition and provided nutritional supplements since no malnutrition case was identified. A total of 7 staff from Kasese Municipal HC III conducted the HIV counselling, testing and nutritional assessment outreaches with facilitation from RAHA. Beneficiaries were provided HIV prevention packages extended and encouraged to benefit from the Adolescent Friendly Services provided by the health facility supported by Baylor Uganda.