Kolping Uganda’s Work Opportunity Programme (WOP) is aimed specifically at young people from poor families who are unemployed or scraping by with casual jobs. Places at Kolping Uganda are limited. So far, around 30 young people have been able to participate in the WOP programme each year. Courses are available in four areas: motorcycle repair, welding, cooking/catering and hairdressing.
“We are always fully booked and have to put people on a waiting list for the following year,” says programme coordinator Boniface Tukwassibwe. Those who manage to secure one of the sought-after places receive free training. “In Uganda, it is customary for young people to pay for their vocational training. But when we send our students to work in companies, they already know so much that they can even ask for a small salary for their work. We insist on this so that they are not exploited,” says Boniface Tukwassibwe proudly.
Training also for poor children
“My father works as a temporary employee in a hotel,” says 18-year-old Mary Owomugnha from Kampala. “There he met a Kolping apprentice and saw how much he had already learned. That’s how we came up with the idea that I should also learn at Kolping.” Mary’s parents would not have had enough money to pay for cook training. At Kolping, she only had to bring a hat, apron and knife. Mary is grateful that the rest of the training is financed by donations.
Practice-oriented courses create perspectives
In the teaching kitchen, Harriet Kirungi, a qualified cook and teacher, keeps a watchful eye on everything. “Stand up straight when you work! Otherwise you’ll get back problems,” she reminds a tall student. Immediately afterwards, she points out to another student that salt is missing. None of the young adults resent her strictness. On the contrary: they are all grateful to be able to learn something here – the more, the better. The cooking course lasts three months. It is not a complete vocational training, but it provides an excellent foundation. Harriet Kirungi maintains close contact with all the major restaurants and hotels in the city. This is because the course consists not only of theory and practical training at school, but also of workplace internships. Every Saturday, the participants get to know a different kitchen. After the course, they complete an additional three-month apprenticeship in one of these kitchens. “I visit them in turn, see how things are going and offer advice,” says the 43-year-old teacher.
A permanent position after training
Elizabeth Nakanjako worked as a street vendor for many years, earning just enough to get by. Life was hard, and she often didn’t have enough money to eat. She had always been interested in motorcycles, so when she heard about the Work Opportunity course at Kolping, she seized the opportunity: she enrolled in the mechanic training at Kolping. Despite initial scepticism from her family and classmates, she is proud of her decision and plans to work in a workshop after the course to learn even more. “And later, I would like to open my own workshop,” says 24-year-old Elizabeth.
Successfully becoming self-employed
Josephat Sekawu will always remember the first day of his training. It was a turning point in his life. He got one of the coveted training places in his dream job: motorcycle mechanic. “I learned at Kolping. Not only how to repair a motorcycle, but also what is important when dealing with customers,” says the 30-year-old. Business is good, because there are tens of thousands of motorcycle taxis in Kampala, so there is always something to do. And Josephat passes on his knowledge. He has employed his brother Ivan as an apprentice. “Kolping changed my life,” says Josephat. “Before, I was a nobody, but today I am a respected entrepreneur.”
