Over
ten slum dwellers in Arua have been empowered with tools and machines to
enhance skills development for wealth creation.
Sewing
Machines, Mechanic Tool Boxes, Gas and Electric Ovens and Welding Machines all
valued at over UGX 50 million were handed over to ten youths living in the
Slums of Arua Central Division after completing 8-10 months training in various
skills.
The
machines and tools were procured by Arua Slum Dwellers with support from National
Federation of Slum Dwellers in Uganda as a measure to support their members
during the Covid19 hard times.
Ratib
Amaku the National Coordinator Urban Poor W. Nile said they were prompted by
the reports that many youths who are idle were heavily engaged in robberies,
pick-pocketing and alcohol and drug abuse that’s why they decided to support in
skilling them and giving them required tools.
According
to Amaku each recipient of the tools and machines is expected to train five
others youths each in a particular field.
// Cue in; The town has been terrorized.…//
Cue out; going to support them…. //
Currently
Arua City has over 5,000 registered members of Slum Dwellers' Association in various groups
in the Central Division.
Twaib
Onduga, the chairperson of Arua Slum Dwellers Association said most of their
members are now fully engaged in various businesses after receiving other
supports earlier from the Slum Dwellers Federation.
// Cue in; We have been also.…//
Cue out; their various business…. //
Yasir
Samin a recipient of electrical tools kit who trained for 7 months in electrical
works in Arua speaking in Lugbara commended the association of Slum Dwellers in
Arua for supporting him with money to undergo training and promised to train
other youths, with who he had been sitting by road sides in Arua town waiting
for any hard labor opportunity.
“I’m
very much excited about this opportunity which I think is God given to me!" he said. "I
least expected to come out of the situation of a beggar I was in before.”
Meanwhile
Hope Driciru from Asianzu Slum Dwellers Savings Group who received a Sewing
Machine said she will move and station at Odramacaku along the Uganda border
with DRC to tap in to the bigger market for clothes in DR Congo.
Judith Drate, the Principal Community
Development Officer Arua City says said her office will work closely with the
Slum Dwellers group in Arua to ensure they are stationed in a one stop center
for all their products to be made and marketed from.
Candia Stephen
Freelancer