Debbie is a driven, hardworking, 18 year old. She is an alumni of the 2021 pre gap year program in Uganda. Debbie’s parents are separated, so she was raised by her paternal aunt. She has finished grade 10. School fees made it difficult for her to continue with school. Her dream was to become a fashion designer, but she wasn’t sure how she would learn those skills.
Meet Debbie
When she joined Hope of Africa, she gained a lot of different skills. Hope of Africa has taught her and the other youth how to cooperate with others, as well as Bible classes and leadership skills. Mama Jerry facilitated the tailoring classes. Debbie loved and excelled in the tailoring class.
Hope of Africa is helping youth realize God’s calling on their lives. As Debbie went through the program she realized she was good at tailoring and it was something she was really interested in teaching to others.
Deborah’s extraordinary journey can be attributed to both her dedication and the opportunities SAY has offered; blending her passion with our support has resulted in a flourishing business and valuable knowledge-sharing experiences for others. Her unwavering devotion embodies the standard of excellence that SAY continually seeks to foster.
To improve her sewing abilities, she took part in an internship and attended additional training sessions guided by our skilled trainer and community partner. This experience helped her enhance her sewing and tailoring skills even further. With her newfound proficiency, Deborah established her own successful sewing business, operating from her home and catering to numerous clients within the Wakiso community. In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, she currently works with SAY as a cook and expertly balances her responsibilities, even dedicating her weekends to her sewing enterprise. Deborah's exceptional progress in her craft is noteworthy. She generously contributed her know-how during the 2022 Boot Camp program as a key trainer for young participants. Additionally, Deborah collaborated on a sewing project with other skilled girls, producing high- quality aprons and bags. Her proficiency has also been instrumental in advancing our sanitary pad initiative.
In 2022, SAY youths had the honor of participating in Rotary Wakiso’s Vijana Poa program, where Deborah's sewing and tailoring prowess earned her a prestigious role as a trainer. Every Friday evening, she mentors eager youths by sharing invaluable techniques and insights with them. This collaboration has led them to explore innovative avenues such as dresses, as well as computer and printer covers—an impressive achievement in their skill development journey.
