By Sr. Caroline Bacia, LSMIG_Program Coordinator SLYI.………………
The Sister Led Youth Initiative (SLYIU), one of ARU’s programs achieved a milestone toward its desired goal in the months of January and February through the support from Global Solidarity Forum (GSF).
220 youths who have been undergoing upskilling program, successfully completed their studies with examinations by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), who awarded them with certificates of level ONE and Modular III.
The most exciting and amazing milestone achieved was the procurement and distribution of start-up kits supported by Global Solidarity Forum (GSF). This was a wake-up to the beneficiaries especially those who could not be accessed easily. Most of the youths were the first to reach the distribution centres after hearing from fellow youths about the kits.
About 701 beneficiaries were supported with start-up kits of different trades. These were received with great excitement by the beneficiaries and parents. Words of gratitude from religious leaders who witnessed the distribution on behalf of their dioceses assured the program staff of offering prayers for the progress of the program and the success of the beneficiaries.
The kits provided were sewing, weaving and knitting machines. Others included; Catering and hotel management items, bakery and pastry items, tools for building and concrete practice, salon and hair dressing, welding and metal fabrication, electrical installation, plumbing and pipe fitting, among others.
By supporting the vulnerable youths with the tools, machines and materials, the SLYI becomes a beacon of hope in the lives of the beneficiaries. This will make them put into practice the knowledge and skills they acquired. The Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) is optimistic of the resilience, self-reliance and responsible persons that the beneficiaries are to their families and the community they live in.
“The vulnerable populace we meet, serve and share experiences with through the initiative are our greatest wealth. This encourages and strengthens me and all those ARU collaborates within the implementation of the program as we think about the dances, singing with ululation, laughers, which are all expressions of joy.”
The program is in its last year of phase II under the support of Conrad N. Hilton Foundation that is sacrificing to improve the lives of the most vulnerable population (the youths). 463 youths have already reported to 16 training centres in Gulu and Tororo Ecclesiastical Provinces in Northern and Eastern Uganda.
During the recruitment of the youths by the Centre administrators, the number was overwhelming. The program coordinator received many calls from parents whose children were not selected as the prospective beneficiaries, thinking that, calling direct to ARU would be the best option for including their children. Since there was a limit for the expected number for the year 2025, it was painful to turn down many who desired to be among the beneficiaries. This indicates the relevance of the initiative to the youths, the parents and the community they live in.
We thank ARU administration for the tireless support given to the program staff and the partner institutions for working collaboratively in the support of the initiative. We continue to appreciate our Donors; Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and GSF for their unwavering support to enable ARU reach out to empower the most vulnerable humanity for self-sufficiency.
We are looking forward with hope to continue with this partnership with our supporters in improving and changing the lives of the most vulnerable to become agents of change in society and the world at large.
