Umoyo Training Centre, Zambia

March 2008 - Update

In June 2007, 59 girls (out of an entry class of 70) received their diplomas at a graduation ceremony. They received diplomas in a number of areas: peer education, entrepreneurship and vocational skills. Here are some of the interesting responses given by the girls when asked for feedback on the things they liked best in their training, and how the programme has changed their lives:

"Learning about HIV because I now know how to protect myself and I can teach others."
"Business training, because I learned to stand on my own."
"We came from different backgrounds but when we all got the skills together, we became friends. We learned how to cook from big pots together, and now we can look for a job."
"Tailoring. I want to be a designer."
"Before I went to Umoyo I felt badly when I saw other people go to school or get training. Why not me?, I used to say. I was crying every day. But now I have skills - I want to do knitting and earn a living."
"Now I am much more aware of the dangers of HIV and I can be self-reliant."
"Before I felt bad, like a failure. But a graduate told me about this program and now I am able to do business and further my own training."

In total, Umoyo now has over 200 graduates of its year-long program and maintains weekly contact with them through a system of youth leaders who participate in the Outreach and Graduate Program. The Outreach and Graduates' Program adds considerable enrichment to the training program.

This year the long-awaited School Sponsorship program started at Umoyo, for girls age 10-13. Forty-three girls are currently being assisted through this program; all were identified for the program by trained home-care volunteers. The support under this programme includes school fees and school requirements, such as shoes, uniforms, books and pens.

Quotes from some of the Umoyo graduates:

"I am very grateful to the Umoyo Center - they have helped me a lot. Without them I don't know where the kids and I would be today. So I am very happy, I feel relieved - they are like my parents." - Lucy, Umoyo graduate
"Through Umoyo I have learnt a lot of things; I didn't know how to sew, but I learned to sew, I also learned to cook, I've learned to cook various dishes. I've also had a chance to learn a lot of things, and apart from that, I've also gained respect from the community because if I didn't go to Umoyo, then I might have been involved in a lot of vices that are in the community." - Miranda, Umoyo graduate
"When I went to Umoyo I found counselors who counseled me, they helped me to get through the situation. But I also had an opportunity to interact with friends and we would discuss a lot of issues, and when I got out of Umoyo I generally became stronger; I am able to take care of myself, I'm also able to take care of my elder sister, as well as look after other people like Miranda." - Winnie, Umoyo graduate
"Before I went to Umoyo, people never used to pay attention to me; but now people have realized that I am independent, I'm able to contribute, so they will tell you about all the issues that are happening in the family because they know that you are able to contribute." - Winnie, Umoyo graduate