Kamuli, Uganda: A total of 177 adult learners, including young mothers and women from disadvantaged backgrounds, graduated on Thursday, May 01, with functional literacy and tailoring skills under a community development initiative championed by The Vine Uganda.
Held at the organization’s centre in Kamuli, the 6th graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone for women who, despite the advent of Universal Primary Education, were previously left behind due to social barriers, early motherhood, and illiteracy.
Many had depended on others to help them interpret financial records in their savings groups, relying on oral accounts and thumbprints for transactions, but the organization stepped in to bridge this gap by offering Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) classes and hands-on vocational training with both knowledge and practical skills.
Gari Meacham, the President of The Vine Uganda, said that with God, everything is possible, and the graduates have proven that with faith, endurance, the impossible becomes real. He also emphasized the importance of spiritual growth alongside education, urging the graduates to use their skills to uplift their communities and glorify God.
“Literacy brings dignity, unlocks a world of knowledge and helps you to be treated fairly, and today, by God’s providence and grace, we honor you with both respect and celebration,” she lauded.
Meacham further called for discipleship to take salvation to maturity by bringing hope of Christ to every soul touched, and in return for this given gift, give it back to God.”
Richard Mwogereze, Executive Director, noted that the training was not just academic but tailored to practical realities. “We focus on education for life, to accelerate sustainable development and transformation,” he said, encouraging the graduates to uphold the organization’s values of love for God, integrity, knowledge, and service.
Vero Mirembe, who emerged as the best tailoring student, revealed that The Vine “rescued” many young girls and mothers from despair, and with skills acquired, they will be able to support themselves, at last have dignity, be economically liberated, and change for the better.
“The Vine has lifted many young girls, mothers, given us hope filled with faith, and in God’s trust we shall bear the much-valued fruits in His Glory,” she said, receiving her start-up sewing machine and kit with joy.
Kamuli District chairperson Maxwell Kuwembula, in his speech delivered by his vice chairperson Sarah Sambya, emphasized that the economy is changing from a job to skills economy, as envisaged by the Skilling Uganda system and innovative approaches through hands-on training to curb unemployment and increase household incomes.
The LCV said the Vine was spot on in its skilling aspect because equality and affirmative action for women and youth can best be achieved through honest work and self-employment, as the government is short of jobs.
“Go to the field, build trust through timely and quality delivery, but also be innovative, go an extra mile to add value to your work,” he advised
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