Youth making catchy clothes
Hundreds of youth have acquired tailoring skills and some have started their own shops. The six-month course equipped apprentices with skills in making diverse clothing – both for men and women. In a project started 15 years ago, AAH Uganda has given hope to many youth in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, whose lives had been devastated by war.
Jicanney Karuhije, a trainer says a good number of graduates are working in countries such as Australia and the US. The youth’s clothes are sold in many parts of Uganda, including the capital city, Kampala.
Karuhije Ntirenganya, 24, went through the training more than one year ago. “I make shorts and dresses of different designs, including Nigerian ones,” says Ntirenganya, who came from Bunagana, a town, not far from the Uganda – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border, in 1998.
He has made 100 pairs of trousers, 150 shirts and 60 designs for Nigerian clothing- for both men and women since he started his business in 2014. He makes about Ush200, 000 (US$ 60) monthly.
Business is not bad. I sell my clothes at Kasonga Trading Centre, and even as far as Kampala,” says the father of two, adding that he tailors most of the clothing on order.
Ntirenganya’s Angelike Kyizanye, 25, says she makes about 15 clothes in a month and makes an average of Ush500, 000 profit monthly.
Kyizanye, who has 10 siblings, has a shop at Kasonga Trading Centre, within the refugee settlement.