Vocational training for the marginalized in Uganda

Three trustees of the Friends made a flying visit recently to see how things were going.The new January term had not yet started so there was an opportunity to talk to management, and also a few students who remain on site as they are orphans and have no where else to go. I (Colin Townsend) was able to talk with one of these, an 18 year old named Vincent who hopes to become a plumber.He has completed a basic course at the VTC and now hopes to do a more advanced level for two years and "become a useful man" . He is a fine young man and so very grateful for the help he is receiving through the Friends of AICM . Another young girl, Immaculate, is following the dress making course and is disabled and in constant pain. We were able to discuss how some funding might go towards medical expenses to help her. The college struggles so much to maintain high standards and high quality staff as the main source of income is fees and so many of the students they want to help struggle to find fees and are often in arrears. This is where your giving can be so vital, enabling students like Vincent and Immaculate to have the training they deserve.The college is striving to become accredited and recognised by the Ugandan technical University of Kyambogo in Kampala. They have been visited once and given targets to meet .Another visit is due at the end of February. Timothy, the AICM Executive director, and Gloria, currently acting principal of the VTC, are praying for a successful visit, as this will mean that the university will offer some help in finding suitably qualified staff. Raising the standards of the VTC is obviously necessary, but will mean even more help in funding will be needed for a short time. The aim of the Friends is to help and encourage the VTC towards self sustainability.