Weaving Dreams in Uganda: Barbra's Journey from Exclusion to Empowerment
“I benefited a lot from the life skills sessions. Before the programme, I was withdrawn, shy, and did not like people because I felt I was not relevant to anyone. However, my peers were friendly, and our instructor was supportive. I made friends, I was loved, I learned to interact with everyone, and I felt relevant and special. The project also supported me with basic items and an Elbow clutch to ease my walking” Barbra, 18 years old
Barbra is a jolly 18-year-old girl from the Amuru district in Uganda. She is the first born with 3 siblings aged 15, 13 and 7. They live with their elderly paternal grandmother and their father who, like Barbra, also lives with multiple physical disabilities.
When Barbra was 6 years old her legs started bending and paining. After undergoing several medical consultations, the doctors confi rmed that she had developed a bone deformity that caused permanent physical disabilities in her legs and waist.
She started school at the age of 9 but soon dropped out due to poverty coupled with long distance and an unfriendly learning environment that did not support her wellbeing. ‘“I left school because I was always mocked, discriminated against and stigmatized by fellow pupils who never wanted me to play with them” remembers Barbra. Likewise, she recalls how difficult it was for her to walk 3km from home to school without an assistive device.
As a child, she couldn’t work to earn an income for her family so she stayed at home and helped with simple household chores like washing utensils, clothes, and cleaning the compound. Since her family entirely relies on subsistence farming, mostly done by their grandmother, Barbra and her siblings lack the basic necessities at home. Hers is like many other cases in Uganda where children, adolescents and youth with disabilities are often considered a burden on society and face exclusion and discrimination.
When Barbra was selected to join the POWER 4 AY Project she could not hide her joy. “I was very excited when I was given the opportunity to participate in life skills training and then a tailoring course. I saw my dream coming true to become a fashion designer”.
To lay the foundation for the project’s pathway towards economic empowerment, Barbara and the other young people received 3 months sessions on life skills, literacy, numeracy, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. After this, Barbra enrolled in a Vocational Skills Training program in Tailoring where she demonstrated her commitment, dedication, and passion, as well as making friends who loved, trusted and cared for her unconditionally. Her best friend Dorcus describes her as a true and loving friend who is trustworthy, hardworking and an excellent source of good advice. Her teachers are proud of her: “Despite her type of disability, Barbra operates her sewing machine with ease. She is a special, talented girl, so passionate about fashion and design. She is very active and engaging in class but also confident and a perfectionist in whatever she does” shares Madam Doroty, Head of the Department.
Upon successfully completing her studies and passing her exam, Barbra joyfully graduated from her course certified by the Directorate of Industrial Training which is a key ally for the Project in Uganda. Adding to her excitement, she received startup capital to establish her own business which is now lovingly being nurtured.
Additionally to her academic achievements, Barbra participated in advocacy capacity building sessions that focused on gender-responsive budgeting and developing and presenting advocacy requests. As a result, she not only gained confi dence and self-esteem, but also committed herself to being a vocal advocate, fearlessly representing the concerns and needs of her fellow girls with disabilities to decisionmakers. “I have learned a great deal from the training, and I am now unafraid to speak on behalf of my peers, ensuring their voices are heard by decision-makers” reflects Barbra.
In the face of adversity and societal misconceptions, Barbra, is a determined young woman who defied odds, embraced her passions, and emerged as an empowered advocate and entrepreneur.