Provide Vocational Training for Ugandan Women

Through Project Have Hope’s vocational training program, young adults are gaining the skills, confidence, and opportunity to build independent futures. One of those young adults is Eric.

“I think big,” Eric says with a smile. “I want to be the best designer ever.” His ambition goes far beyond clothing—he dreams of mastering every aspect of design. At 22 years old, his determination, creativity, and work ethic set him apart.

Eric was raised by his mother in the Acholi Quarter, where many families settled after fleeing conflict in Northern Uganda. He was just six years old when Project Have Hope began sponsoring his education, ensuring he could stay in school and continue learning during critical years of development.

Today, Eric reflects on how much his path has changed. “If I hadn’t gone to school, I’d be in bad groups, not doing anything good. I would not have a future,” he shares.

His passion for tailoring began at age 17 while he was a student. Frustrated with an oversized school uniform, Eric decided to fix it himself. Having watched his mother sew, he sat down at a machine for the first time and began making adjustments. “From that day, I loved tailoring,” he says.

After completing his studies, Eric continued his journey through Project Have Hope’s vocational training support, enrolling in a fashion and design course. His talent and dedication quickly stood out. His instructor recommended him for a position with a company producing garments for government contracts, where he now contributes to the production of overalls, aprons, and embroidered shirts—earning a steady income and building professional experience.

But Eric’s work doesn’t stop there. Each evening, he returns home and continues sewing on his mother’s machines—designing pieces for himself, creating garments for friends and neighbors, and taking on repair work. His creativity is evident in the clothing he wears, often reimagined and redesigned into something entirely his own.

Through vocational training, Eric has gained more than technical skills. He has gained a livelihood, a sense of purpose, and the ability to support himself through his own work. “You can make some money every day. You have worked for it. That makes me feel good,” he explains.

In communities where stable employment is limited, having a skill like tailoring creates real opportunity. It allows young adults like Eric to not only earn an income, but to build dignity, independence, and connection within their communities.

Eric’s story is one example of what’s possible. With your support, another young person can access vocational training, learn a skill, and begin building a future of their own. Your donation helps provide the tools, training, and opportunity needed to turn potential into progress—one person, one skill, one future at a time.