Learn to Earn! Trades training in Gulu, Uganda

Implementing Partner: Family Harvest Foundation (FHF)

Contact Persons

Oyat Francis Otoo – Project Team Leader
Anne McKee – Resource Mobilizer & Board Member

1. Background

The Learn to Earn Trades School continues to provide vocational skills training opportunities to vulnerable youth, particularly young women and urban refugees, to enhance their livelihoods and economic independence.

During the April–June 2026 reporting period, programme activities were relatively limited due to low enrolment. While a small number of beneficiaries registered for training, the cohort did not meet the minimum numbers required by the Uganda Vocational Training Assessment Board (UVTAB) to commence formal training. Consequently, the period focused mainly on graduate follow-up, monitoring, partnership engagement, and institutional development.

2. Activities Undertaken

Registration of New Trainees

During the reporting period, nine (9) new learners registered for vocational training comprising:

Six (6) South Sudanese urban refugees

Three (3) vulnerable local youth

The learners expressed interest in:

Hairdressing

Tailoring

However, training could not commence because the enrolment numbers were below the minimum class size required to effectively conduct competency-based training under UVTAB standards. The learners remain registered and will be incorporated into the next intake once sufficient numbers are attained.

Follow-up on Previous UVTAB Examinations

Family Harvest Foundation received the official examination results for 81 trainees who had previously completed their vocational training and sat for the Uganda Vocational Training Assessment Board (UVTAB) assessments.

The organization is still awaiting the release of examination results for the 41 candidates who sat for the March 2026 UVTAB examinations. Once these results are released, successful candidates will proceed to receive their certificates, enabling them to access employment opportunities and establish their own enterprises.

Graduate Tracer Visits

During the quarter, the project team conducted follow-up visits to three graduates previously supported through GlobalGiving Foundation funding to assess their livelihood progress after graduation.

i. Sikiya

Sikiya has successfully established herself within the community as a tailor. Her skills have been recognized by another partner organization operating in Kiryandongo District, which recruited her to provide tailoring training to local women and girls.

Through this engagement, she has earned sufficient income to purchase her own sewing machine, significantly improving her independence and income-generating capacity.

ii. Munduru

Munduru is currently employed at a hair salon located in Kabedopong Trading Centre near the Learn to Earn Trades School.

The employment has enabled her to gain practical experience while earning a regular income.

iii. Concy

Gloria is also working at the same salon together with Munduru.

In addition, Gloria's aunt is supporting her with plans to establish her own salon business, providing an important pathway towards self-employment.

These success stories demonstrate the long-term impact of vocational skills training and the value of continued post-training mentorship and follow-up.

3. Partnership and Networking

Although training activities were minimal, Family Harvest Foundation continued to strengthen partnerships through participation in various coordination and networking activities, including:

Community and stakeholder engagement meetings, child wellbeing and protection coordination meetings, Girls Not Brides Uganda meeting to reduce early child marriage, networking with organizations supporting women, youth and refugee livelihoods, continued engagement with GlobalGiving Foundation and other development partners.

These engagements continue to create opportunities for future collaboration and resource mobilization.

4. Institutional Development

During the reporting period, Family Harvest Foundation made further progress in strengthening its institutional systems.

Key achievements include:

1. Completion of registration of REELMA Family Harvest Foundation Limited by Guarantee, providing the organization with enhanced legal status and credibility.
2. Continued processing of the vocational training institution licence with the Ministry of Education and Sports following completion of inspections by both the Education Inspector and the Health Inspector.
3. Preparations to establish an independent organizational bank account for REELMA Family Harvest Foundation to strengthen financial management and accountability is in progress.
4. Participated in four partnerships meetings to keep the relations active.

5. Financial Summary (April – June 2026)

Item                                                                                           Amount (USD)

Donations received                                                                   183.77

GlobalGiving disbursements                                                     0.00

Programme expenditure (including co-funding by partners)     1,556.99

Despite limited direct funding during the reporting period, Family Harvest Foundation continued supporting project activities through co-funding and contributions from partner organizations.

6. Challenges Encountered

The project experienced several challenges during the reporting period, including:

1. Low enrolment that did not meet the minimum class size required for UVTAB competency-based training of a minimum of five trainee per trade/course.
2. Limited funding for training materials and operational costs.
3. Delay in the release of March 2026 UVTAB examination results.
4. Limited financial resources to support graduates with start-up equipment and business capital.
5. Difficulties conducting graduate follow-up because some former trainees relocated or changed contact information.

7. Plans for the Next Quarter

During the next reporting period, Family Harvest Foundation plans to:

1. Recruit additional trainees to achieve the minimum class size required to commence hairdressing and tailoring training.
2. Continue monitoring and mentoring graduates as they establish sustainable livelihoods.
3. Receive and communicate the March 2026 UVTAB examination results to the 41 candidates.
4. Finalize licensing requirements with the Ministry of Education and Sports through continued follow-up with the local and central government representatives concerned.
5. Strengthen partnerships and resource mobilization efforts through GlobalGiving July 2026 Bonus Day and other fundraising opportunities.
6. Continue seeking long-term partners to support development of the school's 4.6-acre training site.

8. Conclusion

Although the April–June 2026 quarter involved fewer training activities than anticipated due to low enrolment, the reporting period demonstrated encouraging evidence of the long-term impact of previous GlobalGiving investments.

Graduate follow-up visits confirmed that beneficiaries such as Sikiya, Munduru, and Concy are applying their vocational skills to earn incomes, secure employment, and build sustainable livelihoods. These outcomes reinforce the effectiveness of practical vocational training in improving the socio-economic wellbeing of vulnerable youth and urban refugees.

Family Harvest Foundation remains grateful to the GlobalGiving Foundation and other partners for their continued support. We remain committed to expanding access to quality vocational training, strengthening institutional capacity, and creating lasting opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Northern Uganda.

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