Applying digital skills to earn a living
Ojullu Ochalla Okwaya is an Ethiopian by nationality. He left Ethiopia in 2004 after the massive massacre of his tribe’s men. His family suffered much trying to find a rescue to a safer environment. They managed to get a police escort to Dadaab refugee camp. Ojullu grew up in Dadaab Refugee Camp gaining educational skills at the elementary level and completed the primary level of education in 2010. Excelling in studies, he was sponsored by a well-wisher to gain a secondary level of education in Nairobi at Joram G.M Academy Secondary School in Ngong. Through this, Ojullu got an opportunity to study various subjects and computer was his favorite subject. He completed his high school level of education in 2014. Thereafter, he went back to his family in Dadaab and was employed with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) as an interpreter due to his ability to communicate in both English, Kiswahili, Arabic, and in their mother tongue.
During resettlement, his family was relocated to Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement. Adjusting to the new environment was not easy because he was no longer in employment and had to survive on the alms offered to the refugees. Access to food, household, and medical service was difficult because the settlement was still under establishment and most refugees were surviving on the little resources they had. Through a well-wisher, Ojullu received educational support to study the Supplies and Procurement course in Lodwar. He completed the course and began doing business to gain funds to support his family, although the business did not pick up. He then returned to his parents ’home in Kalobeyei.
In March 2020, Ojullu was among the successful applicants to join the Tech for Livelihood program offered by Action Africa Help International (AAHI); to gain digital skills for online jobs. Receiving training in graphic design using CorelDraw has changed his way of thinking and is hoping to use the skills not only for online working but also in designing flyers and banners for various organizations.
“I am passionate about advancing with the changing technology. AAHI has given me an opportunity to pursue my dream in gaining digital skills for online jobs. I enjoy learning new skills and through the Tech for Livelihood program, I hope to more gain skills that will enable me work online and improve my standard of living” Ojulu Ochalla Okwaya
Ojullu’s has developed strong interest in graphic design and is currently doing using graphic design to develop a flyer for a photo studio in Kalobeyei village.
