The Rotary Club of La Jolla along with the Rotary Club of Mbale in Uganda is currently working on a Global Grant in Uganda called the Rotary Vijana Poa Mbale Technology Hub Project. This project started on November 29, 2021, with a grant of $85,000. The objective of this project is to provide technology and employment education to youth and women for advancing economic empowerment in Mbale, a disadvantaged region in Eastern Uganda. More than 22% of the youth population in this region is unemployed and lives in extreme poverty. The goal of this project is to ensure that every youth is working through computer skills, entrepreneurial and mindset education. The program also provides women empowerment education to women who have previously been marginalized and alienated from the workplace.
The program’s graduates will develop sustainable skills and have opportunities for productive work, thereby reducing poverty in this underserved community. The Hub provides free Information Communications and Technologies computer training classes using the Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum and Internet access. The Women Empowerment Program offers classes in women’s rights, gender-based violence, harmful effects of early child marriage, reproductive health, self-esteem, confidence building, public speaking, entrepreneurship skills, computer skills, business planning and vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing and handicrafts.1
29 students have graduated from the program so far. A second set of students began their training on April 4, 2023. With the requisite skills, employment and income, the graduates will not only provide livelihood for themselves but also for their siblings, families and their community. We are working towards making this project self-sustaining by the end of September 2023.
29 students have graduated from the program so far. A second set of students began their training on April 4, 2023. With the requisite skills, employment and income, the graduates will not only provide livelihood for themselves but also for their siblings, families and their community. We are working towards making this project self-sustaining by the end of September 2023.