Skills Training Providing Youth with Opportunity to Thrive in Trade and Business

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October 21, 2018

Bidali with a chair he made.

Bidali Martine, 25, is a South Sudanese refugee currently living in Omugo Extension of Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Northwestern Uganda. Bidali is originally from Yei in South Sudan and arrived in Uganda with his parents in August 2017. At the time of seeking refuge, Bidali was a student in Primary 7.

Bidali is one of 51 refugees and host community youths being supported in livelihoods activities, including business skills training, technical skills training, and in-kind grant distributions. This project is implemented by CARE and local partner WINEPS, with funding from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

At the start of the program, each youth was to select a trade they were interested in learning, Bidali was the only youth who chose to learn carpentry. Other trades chosen include tailoring, bakery and catering, and hair saloon. Because Bidali was the only student in carpentry, he engaged in an apprenticeship with a host-country national who has a workshop within Omugo.

Bidali working on a custom order

Bidali says he had never done any woodworking before his apprenticeship started, but he had always been interested in it. “I want to be an international carpenter. I want to be known for my designs.” Bidali’s training was 7-weeks long and during his training he learned how to make a variety of different furniture, including various sizes of chairs, bed frames, tables and benches.

In late September, Bidali was one of 201 youths who were selected to receive an in-kind grant as a part of this initiative. During business skills training, each youth was required to write and submit a business plan in order to be eligible for a grant. Each youth received startup grants in the form of in kind items to help start and support their growing business. Bidali received wood and a variety of tools to help him build.

During his time in training, Bidali built a small workshop, Morudita Ltd. Company, near his home and has started making items on order for his customers. Bidali says he doesn’t have one favorite thing he likes to make, but a large bed can make him the most money. His customers will come to his shop to order an item and Bidali will start building. However, he is often worried if the customer will come back for the item, or if they can pay the full amount. He is also concerned about the safety of his materials at night, “I take all my work home with me at night because it could easily get stolen.”

Bidali’s workshop in Omugo.
When Bidali does earn some money, he usually turns around and invests most of it into his shop. “I can never have enough timber, I am always in need of that.” The rest of the money he saves for emergencies.

Bidali says he is very grateful to CARE and this project, “If CARE wasn’t here and wanted to help people like me, I would have no skills or way to make money.” “Because of CARE and the training, I have some money, a job, and am moving along with my life.”


  

  Story Compiled and Written By: Brandi Murley
  CARE West Nile Office, Uganda

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