Vocational Skills Give Hoima Teenage Mothers Hope
By George Busiinge
Nineteen teenage mothers in Buseruka sub-county, in Hoima district, near Kabalega International Airport, have acquired vocational training that has equipped them with skills to start income-generating activities.
The Hoima District Community Development Officer (CDO), Ebongo Kenneth, said the Hoima district leadership is worried because of the increasing number of girls between the ages of 15- 19 years who get pregnant.
He said the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the district needs attention from community leaders and parents. He was attending the graduation ceremony of the teenage mothers in Buseruka.
Babra Nakilinya and Tono Eva, both teenage mothers, dropped out of school after their parents stopped paying their school fees when they got pregnant.
Tono graduated in tailoring after SBC, the company constructing Kabale International Airport thought about them and brought the vocational skilling program.
Tono confesses: “After acquiring a certificate in tailoring, I promise that am going to start saving money that will assist me to pay school fees for my daughter.”
She called upon her fellow teenage mothers not to lose hope come but the join the program.
Komakech Charles, the Chief Administrative Officer of Hoima district, says the project has given hope to teenage mothers; that they can do something to earn a living and look after their children.
Komakech also appreciated SBC and appealed to mothers who attained this training to use the skills acquired.
Amosi Muriisa, the Public Relations Officer of SBC, says that because of the influx of people in the area teenage pregnancy became common in Buseruka.
As part of their Cooperate Social Responsibility, SBC decided to skill these mothers so that they can earn a living and get money to pay school fees for their babies.