By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Training of 50 Gender Based Violence victims by Umbrella of Hope Initiative under PISCCA project supported by French Embassy with help from GBV coalition leader FIDA Uganda is ongoing at UHOPI training centre in Gulu.
The ten (10) days training is purposed to fulfill one of the primary aims of the project which is ensuring quick fix of incomes for the selected 20 child mothers and 30 pregnant girls for economic empowerment geared towards sustainable employment besides mindset change.
According to Allen Ayebazibwe ,the Executive Director Umbrella of Hope Initiative, the training is to benefit selected beneficiaries in basics of making reusable shopping bags, craft shoes and exercise books to ensure they’re helped to start up own small scale business enterprises to enable them fetch a living for their children.
“The training is not only in hands on skills but also in soft skills like financial literacy, customer care and communication skills. Beneficiaries are also trained in menstrual hygiene management and in copying with mechanism through counselling to overcome the post sexual Gender Based Violence.” Allen Ayebazibwe further remarked.
The above are coupled with opportunity of referrals to antenatals and other reproductive health services to the health centers and hospitals.
The first week of the training fortunately registered two of the teenage pregnant girls that gave birth last Sunday and Monday respectively. This was revealed by area change agent and confirmed by project manager Innocent that are 24/7 in touch with all identified beneficiaries.
“We have seen very young girls pregnant, baby sat babies of child mothers,gave an ear to them and believe me the compelling stories from their experiences are so touching.” Evelyn kyokunda Hope asserted.
She further explained that idea of quick fix of incomes is meant to restore hope among Gender Based Violence victims and redefine the lost potential to fulfill their life aspirations.
Besides, Peace Alur the communications officer revealed that the training has attracted many stakeholders among of which are mobile immunisation team from Gulu Referral hospital that extended Immunisation service to babies of the child mothers.
Alur boasts of continued good working mutual relationship with all stakeholders in the fight against gender based violence in communities mostly the change agents and gender offices in Gulu City and District respectively. She noted that the training continues with one more week to closure.
One of the beneficiaries whose name is withheld for being a minor thanked Umbrella of Hope Initiative for not only training them to gain skills but also for the round talks, guidance and counselling during the training that has raised their esteem to believe in taking second chance in life.
“We have been disowned by our own family and community members ,seen as failures, used as bad examples, isolated but we are glad to have fallen in the safe hands of Umbrella of Hope Initiative,” she remarked with a glimmering smile on her face.
However, many of the victims of teenage pregnancies and early child motherhood still yearn for opportunity of mainstream education once the hard experience is dealt with. “My parents still believe I can continue with my studies after the child has grown up to live in my absence.” One of the child mothers revealed.
Pictorial 
