Once hated but now loved.

Irene and Her husband at their home

Aciro Irene, 23 years old apparently lives in Nwoya district with the father of her child. He had previously abandoned her because of the stigma surrounding children whose parents are mentally disturbed; her father is mentally disturbed; a condition that didn’t allow Irene to go to school beyond Primary four (P4). When her child turned 6 years old, Irene’s ‘husband’ went and formally requested her to return to his home but this was after she had been equipped with the tailoring skills and was fending for herself. ‘When this man left me alone with my child, his family and him thought that I would completely fail in life.’ Said Irene.

‘After the training at Pugola Center, I rented a store in Pabbo Center and immediately began to sew clothes. I joined a savings group and within a short time, I had was able to purchase a 2^nd hand sewing machine at Shs250,000. I needed it because I had also learnt how to make simple leather bags but the machine that I had received upon completion of my tailoring training was specifically for clothes and wouldn’t be the best for leather bags. When my ‘husband’ heard that I was doing well, he came and asked me to go back to his place and right now his family says that I am very hardworking.’

Irene then moved to the ‘husband’s home in Padyale, Nwoya district where she apparently sews from home and she is the nearest tailor in the community where she stays. From the tailoring works and savings, she has also managed to purchase 40 chicken  at Shs10,000 each that she is raising at her home. She hopes to sell them by the end of August, 2023 at Shs25,000 each.

In her new location, Irene has joined a savings group and is able to save a maximum of Shs10,000 a week; this is from the tailoring works. ‘From her daily works, Irene is supporting me and our daughter. I am a carpenter but currently unemployed because my tools were stolen and I have not yet raised money to buy others;from my wife’s business, we are savings towards buying other tools so that I do not burden her with taking care of the home; she buys food,  pays fees for our child and together, we are catering for our medical bills. I am more than grateful. I thank the donor & Watye Ki Gen for equipping her with the tailoring skill.’ Her husband testified.

Irene’s future plans are to; rent a store at the nearby Center in order to have more customers  for the tailoring business, rear more chicken, further her skill into Fashion & Design, save a lot more money and be able to buy land together with the husband so that they do not have to reside on his family land. ‘I also plan on training other girls or even boys that are interested in tailoring; I will keep buying more sewing machines even if 2^nd hands to enable me train them well. This would pay me well and would enable me to achieve most of my dreams.” Said the already excited Irene.

“I thank God for the donor that enabled Watye Ki Gen to train us in different skills. My prayer is that many more get trained because it has been life changing for most of us; there are many vulnerable youth that would benefit from such programs. Otherwise thank you and May God bless you all.” Irene concluded.

Irene (left) at her previous workplace.