Dear valued partners
Greetings from Girls Have a Dream School. We are pleased to share with you this report on the progress and impact of the School made possible in by your generous support over a period of 9 months. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in advancing our mission.
1. Introduction
- Girls Have a Dream Uganda continues to stand as a beacon of hope and transformation for young girls, vulnerable women and single mothers who once believed their dreams were lost. Through our hands-on vocational skills training, we have created a safe space where learners not only gain practical knowledge but also rebuild confidence, dignity, and purpose in life.The goal is to empower women and vulnerable youths with employable skills that can lift them out of poverty, restore their self-esteem, and help them support their families.
2. Enrollment and Expansion
The school enrollment has increased from 38 students who graduated in February this year to 55 students who have under gone competence based training in various trades ; Tailoring ,hair dressing and bakery,and will be assessed by Uganda Vocational and Techinical Assesment Board at the end of November this year.
Having failed to secure additional training rooms in time, we strategically opened a sub center in Wampeewo village about 6km from school, The home were the training is done is temporarily offered by the secretary for womens affairs for Wampeewo village which attracted 32 students, while our main outreach center (GHADS) in Masooli enrolled 36 including those who are not sitting final exams . This expansion helped us reach more vulnerable women who otherwise could not be accomodated at school and those facing long distances to access training.The school hired a social worker to help coordinate the training center in Wampeewo village.
3. Candidates to sit National exams
– Tailoring and Fashion Design – 22 students
– Hairdressing and Beauty – 24 students
– Catering and Bakery – 9 students
To ensure excellence and preparedness for the National Skills Training Examinations (scheduled for November 2025), we conducted pre assessement tests. These assessments helped measure student progress, identify areas of weakness, and boost confidence.
Encouragingly, 75% of the trainees performed successfully in the pre assessment tests, giving us strong confidence that by the end of October, all 55 students will be fully ready for their final national examinations.
4. Nature of Our Beneficiaries
Our trainees represent some of the most vulnerable groups in the community:
– Single mothers seeking to provide for their children independently.
– Women and girls living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom were rejected by their families and denied education.
– Young women from extremely poor backgrounds, yearning for a skill to put food on the table.
– Widows and abandoned women forced to play the role of both mother and father.
– Educated but unemployed women, whose dreams had been crushed by lack of opportunity.
Many of these women join us after receiving counseling and encouragement from our staff and community leaders, while others come through word-of-mouth after witnessing the impact of our training in their communities.
5. Success Stories
The transformation we have witnessed is deeply moving. Many of our graduates are applying their new skills to earn a small income — baking cakes, styling hair, or sewing clothes for clients in their neighborhoods. A company sewing school uniforms in the near by town has offered to hire four of our graduates in January to take on the work of sewing school uniforms.
One remarkable story is that of NABANGI HALIMA, a courageous woman whose journey reflects both the challenges and resilience of our beneficiaries. During her training period, she faced heartbreaking personal struggles — her crops were stolen as she left home to come for training, and she also discovered her husband’s infidelity. Yet despite the pain, Halima chose to remain committed to her training. Today, she confidently sews and sells clothing items, proving that empowerment begins with perseverance.
Her story, like many others, is a testimony that our skilling center is not just a place of learning but a place of healing,rebuilding and hopes.
6. Achievements
– Successfully trained and registered 55 active students across two centers for National Exams .
– Achieved 75% success rate in pre assessment tests.
– Improved self-esteem and confidence among trainees.
– Supported vulnerable women in starting micro-income activities.
– Established a strong sense of solidarity and purpose among learners.
7. Challenges Encountered
- Limited Training Space and Shelter: Heavy rains disrupt classes as our centers lack sufficient shelter and training rooms
- Poverty and Hunger: Many students come to class on an empty stomach, affecting concentration and participation.
c. Distance and Transport Issues: Some learners travel long distances, causing lateness or absenteeism.
d. Lack of Training Materials and Tools: Students who cannot afford materials such as fabrics, hair products, or baking ingredients often miss practical sessions.
e. Fee Constraints: Vulnerable students struggle to meet even the minimal training fee, yet their desire to learn remains strong..
f. Dropouts: Despite registering about 60 people initially, some dropped out due to financial or domestic challenges.
8. Proposed Solutions and Way Forward
- Transportation Support for teachers and students to and from school is needed.
b. Materials and Tools Fund: Create a “Skills Materials Fund” where well-wishers and partners can contribute to buy tools and training kits for the most vulnerable.
c. Infrastructure Improvement: Seek donor support to build a permanent training center or rent more rooms to provide safe spaces for training.
d. Community Partnerships: Strengthen relationships with churches, schools, and local leaders to mobilize more vulnerable women and create awareness.
Girls Have a Dream School continues to change lives every day. Behind every woman we train is a story of pain turned into purpose, struggle turned into strength. Through this program, vulnerable women are discovering that their dreams are still alive and that they can become providers, entrepreneurs, and role models in their communities.
Conclusion
We are grateful to our partners, well-wishers and potential donors who believe in this vision. With more support we can expand to reach hundreds of other women and girls still waiting for a chance to dream again. Together we can empower women, restore dignity and build a future full of hope.
Sincerely,
Esther Nalule
GHADS
