There was joy, excitement, and celebration as In Need Home held a graduation ceremony for 200 youth from the Namuwongo slums who successfully completed vocational training under the ISDP (In Need Home Skilling Development Program).
The project was made possible through funding from the Waldensian Church of Italy, whose support helped many young people gain practical skills that can change their lives for the better For several months, the youth were trained in Tailoring, Hair Dressing, Digital Skills, and Phone Repair. During the graduation ceremony, the graduates proudly received their certificates as friends, parents, guardians, and guests cheered them on. The event was full of happiness, music, dancing, and emotional moments as many students shared stories about their journey. Different groups of students also showcased the skills they learned.
Tailoring students displayed beautiful clothes they had designed, hair dressing students demonstrated their styling skills, while phone repair and digital skills students proudly showed the work they can now do professionally. Speaking during the ceremony, leaders from In Need Home thanked the Waldensian Church of Italy for believing in the dreams of the youth in Namuwongo and supporting the project from the beginning to the end. Many graduates expressed excitement about the future and said they are eager to start small businesses so they can earn a living and support their families. Some plan to open salons, tailoring shops, and phone repair businesses within their communities.
As the ISDP project comes to an end, the graduation ceremony did not only mark the completion of training, but also the beginning of new opportunities and hope for many young people whose lives have been transformed through skills and education.
