Two of AGYA’s most active participants have been selected to work as chief cooks during the stay of 9 international student volunteers from the University of Southern California.
Thirty-nine year old, Sarah Ndiwalana (pictured below) is an unemployed widow raising 4 children on her own. She was forced to drop out of school in Senior 3, which is the equivalent of 9th grade in the U.S. Public School System.
Despite her lack of education, Miss Ndiwalana has decided to take advantage of the services offered by the Amagezi Gemaanyi Youth Association. She participates in English classes taught by AGYA Youth Leader, Happy Namutebi. She is also learning to knit and sew under the tutelage of AGYA Co-Founder, Abraham Matovu.
Forty-year old Gorrety Nakirembe (pictured below) is a housewife with eight children. Miss Nakirembe dropped out of school in Primary 6, the equivalent of 6th grade in the U.S. Public School System. Like Miss Ndiwalana, Miss Nakirembe has embraced the opportunities offered by AGYA by participating in AGYA Youth Leader Happy Namutebi’s English Classes. She also works with AGYA Youth Leader Aisha Kyebakkuwadde in jewelry-making workshops.
Forty-year old Gorrety Nakirembe (pictured below) is a housewife with eight children. Miss Nakirembe dropped out of school in Primary 6, the equivalent of 6th grade in the U.S. Public School System. Like Miss Ndiwalana, Miss Nakirembe has embraced the opportunities offered by AGYA by participating in AGYA Youth Leader Happy Namutebi’s English Classes. She also works with AGYA Youth Leader Aisha Kyebakkuwadde in jewelry-making workshops.
Not only are Miss Ndiwalana and Miss Nakirembe a part of the AGYA family, but their children and grandchildren also participate in classes and workshops offered to children and youth. In the photo below, Miss Ndiwalana's 2-year old grand-daughter, Shanitah, enjoys a meal of rice and beans as part of AGYA's Free Lunch Program.
When international volunteers travel to Uganda to work with AGYA, Miss Nakirembe and Miss Ndiwalana will serve as cooks and will be responsible for setting the menu, cooking and serving meals. The money earned from this work will help economically empower these women who are solely dependent on financial support offered by relatives.
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Calling AGYA a blessing, both women are overjoyed about the opportunity to have a job, earn money independently and to practice their English with the international volunteers!
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As AGYA expands, we hope to offer similar opportunities to other capable, deserving people in the Nabulagala community.
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