For Hellen Draru, learning to turn leather into shoes, belts and bags has transformed more than her skills—it has changed her prospects for earning a living. Draru is among 50 vulnerable women in Arua City who have completed a three-month hands-on training in leather design and turning, allowing them to build more sustainable livelihoods.
The beneficiaries include survivors of gender-based violence, school dropouts, child mothers, women with disabilities, and refugees, among other vulnerable groups. Before the training, Draru earned a living selling tomatoes and onions in the market. She says the income was often too little to meet her needs.
Today, she can make several leather products and earn more than 20,000 shillings from a single item, significantly improving her income and giving her greater independence.
The three-month programme was funded by the IMS Foundation through the Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) under an initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO), aimed at helping vulnerable women overcome livelihood challenges. The training did not stop at practical skills. The women were also equipped with knowledge in business planning, marketing, customer care, budgeting, saving, and loan management.
Two Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) were established among the beneficiaries to help them save, access loans, and grow their businesses. Fiona Opidera, Finance Officer at Women Empowerment for Peace and Agents for Social Inclusion (WEPASI), which conducted the training, said vulnerable women need practical skills and financial knowledge to improve their economic independence.
West Nile Regional Officer of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA), Denis Okao, commended the women for taking advantage of the skills development opportunity, describing the training as an important step towards improving their livelihoods.
Centenary Driciru, Senior Community Development Officer at Ayivu Division Council, urged the women to develop a positive mindset as they build on the skills acquired. She said a negative mindset can affect decision-making and prevent people from finding solutions to the challenges they face, leaving them trapped in their past circumstances.
The beneficiaries also received start-up kits containing equipment and materials for leather designing and turning, enabling them to begin producing shoes, belts, bags and other leather products. They were further awarded certificates by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) after completing assessments conducted under the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB).
The certification is expected to strengthen their chances of securing employment and participating in formal opportunities within the leather and crafts industry. For Draru and the other beneficiaries, the training has offered more than a certificate—it has provided practical skills, start-up tools, and a chance to turn a skill into a source of income and greater independence-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
