Handicrafts and agriculture in Uganda
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Handicrafts and agriculture

Vocational training

Alongside academic education, A Chance for Children focuses on solid vocational training. Adolescents are able to learn practical skills at school and in the holidays; this education enables them to be self-sufficient, not dependent on handouts.

The organisation operates three joineries (Zigoti, Bongole and Nateete) and two tailor's workshops (Zigoti and Nateete). Here, students make their own school uniform, desks and chairs. In addition they receive tuition in various handicrafts and are encouraged to learn different skills such as welding, shoe repair, knitting, cooking and hairdressing. In their senior years they specialise and deepen their knowledge of one skill.

  • Opportunities through apprenticeship

    A few young people are taken on as apprentices in our joinery or tailoring workshops, having had to leave school early. For instance Maria had a baby when she was 15, in Primary 5, and is now studying tailoring.
    Clement, Ben and John have learning difficulties and could not progress beyond Primary 6, but they are enjoying joinery studies with their teacher, Master Alex.
    Another adolescent, Tom, was our first joinery trainee and finished his apprenticeship in 2015. He was presented with essential tools and planks of wood as a farewell gift, to give him a good start in his working life.
    Florence, our first trainee seamstress, produces school uniforms in Nateete.

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Agricultural education

In Bongole, Nateete, Nakaziba, Lubajja and Zigoti, our organisation owns about 74 hectares of agricultural land, used for farming basic crops (corn, beans, sweet potato, cassava and tomatoes) and for reforestation. Cows, pigs, goats, chickens and rabbits are cared for by senior students. Almost 80% of Uganda's population rely on farming, even if they have other jobs, so it is important that our children learn farming skills.