High Sound for Children (HSC), a local non-governmental organization, has launched a programme in which it will empower young mothers with essential economic survival skills.
The program was launched on Saturday as the NGO celebrated its fifth anniversary.
The program dubbed “The Gold Star program” was launched as the NGO celebrated its fifth anniversary and will offer training in a variety of fields including tailoring, bakery and catering, hairdressing, and entrepreneurship.
“ For mothers who are already engaged in small business ventures, we will build on their existing skills to enhance their economic opportunities. We believe that by providing young mothers with essential economic survival skills, we can help them break the cycle of poverty and improve their overall well-being,” Hadijja Mwanje, the HSC founder said.
According to Mwanje, the program is designed to run for six months per cohort, providing comprehensive support and training to empower these young mothers towards sustainable livelihoods.
“We have already registered over 20 young mothers who have expressed interest in the program but noted that due to limited funding, we have developed an eligibility tool to prioritize and support the most vulnerable applicants.”
She said for mothers who are already engaged in small business ventures, they will build on their existing skills to enhance their economic opportunities
Mwanje said in the past five years, they have made great strides in ensuring every child’s voice is heard, enjoys their rights and opportunities they deserve.
She said their journey has been characterized by impactful media work, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive support programs designed to empower children in and out of school.
“One of High Sound children’s significant achievements has been the establishment of media clubs in schools. These clubs serve as a platform to engage children in media literacy sessions, helping them navigate and understand the complex media landscape.”
“ In an era of constant exposure to various media, it is crucial that children are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed and responsible choices. Through our media clubs, we are empowering the next generation to critically engage with media and use it to their advantage.”
She said through this program, over 500 children have been impacted in the five districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja and Iganga.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools hosting our media clubs were closed, we took the initiative to reach out to the communities where our students lived. What we discovered was deeply concerning—several of our students had become pregnant, with some cases reported in Kawempe, Ssebaggala and Kiganda zones. “
She said in response, they started offering food supplies, medical care and emotional support.
