Current Programs

Tailoring Program

Students attending the tailoring classes. This is our largest and most popular program taught in Bukonde. We currently have three classrooms in Bukonde and plan to open more classrooms in Namakwekwe.

The tailoring program focuses on teaching students cloth-making skills and how to navigate a career in tailoring. The program has a capacity of 60 students from different regions of Mbale, and others on the waitlist because of the limited number of sewing machines. The students are taught by three instructors that have extensive experience in the field. The students are given 140 hours of training until their certificate ceremony on the first week of January. The students are also provided counseling services through BUWI and are encouraged to attend the counseling week with social workers and Bukonde’s probation officer. In return, the students pay 50,000 Sh for the entire program, this is less than 500sh per hour of training (the price of a sweet). In comparison, the average monthly cost of tailoring programs in Mbale is Sh. 250,000. We have been able to make the tailoring affordable through board member donations and contributions from generous sponsors. We hope to expand the program and to introduce BUWI to more sub counties.

Hairdressing Program

Instructor teaching students how to braid “pencil twists” on a mannequin head

Agricultural Skills Program

The hairdressing program teaches students how to manage their hair and techniques to plait different types of braids. It was highly requested by parents in the community. The program currently has a capacity of 15 students, and other students on the waitlist because of the limited tools available. The program is 2 months long and offers students 160 hours of training.

The agricultural skills training program is our newest program. The program has 18 students enrolled and no capacity. It teaches students how to make farming affordable and resistant to the frequent mud slides, floods and dry spells. Instructors use knowledge from traditional methods and advise from conservation experts.

In the image we have two instructors giving us a tour of a recent project.

Registration

To register for a skills program you need to do the following:

  • Register to BUWI with a supervisor and let them know what skills program you are interested in. Lugisu: Nga olikwiwandikisa ni supaviza uwa BUWI, nu mubolele lisoma lyesu gana. Luganda: Oyina okwewandikisa ne supaviza owa BUWI. Mubulile esomela lyo yagala.
  • Attend orientation for the skills program of interest with your parent if you are underage or alone, if you are over 18 years old. Lugisu: Nga ochili kutandika, nuze emeetingi enyowa numusali nga oli omwana oba nuweze wenyene nga oli umukulu. Lugada: Nga tonaba okutandaki, ja nomuzade wo nga olimwana.
  • Pick up a registration form in either English or Lugisu. (Make sure to ask for a translator or help if you need assistance completing the form). Lugisu: Nufune efomu ye kwiwandikisa mu Lugisu, oba loma supaviza a kuyede. Luganda: Dayo eka ne fomu eyokwewandikisa. Nga totegera byebayagala, gamba supaviza akuyambe.
  • Drop off the registration at the main office to either Ms. Edith Nagudi or Ms. Ayida Wamalugu with your registration fee. Make sure to pick up a stamped receipt to show payment and discuss any financial assistance for the program fee or payment plans. Lugisu: Nuwileyo ku ofisi uganika ni Nagudi Edith oba Wamalugu Ayida bakuwe ereciti nga wamalile ukwizusa efomu ate wafunile silingi ze kwi wandikisa. Luganda: Dayo ku ofisi oyogele ne Nagudi Edith oba Wamalugu Ayida bakuwe erecitti nga omaze okujuza fomu ate nga oyina sente ezokwewandikisa.

Future Programs

Below is a list of programs that have been highly requested from the community survey. We hope to expand current programs and pilot new programs if funds are available. There so many ways you can help us meet our goal: You can help out by

  • Donating to our cause (Contact us at Operations@bukondewomensinitiative.org )
  • Volunteering as an instructor or office help (Contact Operations supervisor, Ashim Azid)
  • Forming a partnership with us (contact Interconnectivity Head Mr. Charles Maimba)

Below is a list of requested programs and services we hope to add in the next two years if funds are available

  • Computer Literacy
  • Literacy in non-target age groups
  • Catering School