Women and Young Refugees Take the Wheel for their Future in Uganda
Young refugees in Uganda–many of them women–are getting a fresh start as aspiring auto mechanics through a Peace Winds vocational program. Many residents of the refugee camps here have not finished middle or high school, making it difficult to find stable work. Although other vocational schools exist in the camps, the cost of tuition and transportation leaves them out of reach for many potential students.
To make education more accessible for everyone, Peace Winds’ vocational training courses are provided free of charge. We began the program earlier this year in partnership with UN Women and Toyota Uganda, which is providing students with the tools and curriculum they need to ultimately work as mechanics.
“After dropping out of junior high school, I moved from one day job to another carrying my small child on my back,” said Dorothy, 18. “But I decided to participate in this program because I wanted to learn automotive technology so I could learn a trade and support my family. There is some prejudice in society against female auto mechanics, but since no one else is doing it, I think that will make me unique.”
Dorothy is one of 15 students enrolled in the program this term, which started in July. Students spent two months learning about the basics of auto mechanics in the classroom before starting to gain hands-on experience replacing engines and changing batteries last month. Each student brings their own perspective to the course, but everyone is working hard to learn.
Peter, another student, is a 21-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. “My mother is a single mother and didn’t have the money to pay my school fees, so I was unable to graduate from junior high school,” he said. “If I can acquire the skills I need through this training, I would like to get a job at a large auto repair shop and have a stable income.”
Over the next two years, 100 students from two refugee camps in Uganda will gain the skills they need to make this goal a reality.
In addition to auto mechanics training, Peace Winds is partnering with local NGOs and the Ugandan government to support climate change response and disaster preparedness, rice cultivation, sewing skills training, and eco-stove building throughout five refugee camps in Uganda. These programs are made possible by funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as well as the support of our individual donors.