“I like hairdressing because it makes women look beautiful” says 25-year old Immaculatie Akot, while she braids her classmate's hair. She is one of the 25 hairdressing trainees at the Aridland Development Programme (ADP) in Abim district.

Life has not been easy on Immaculatie ever since the father of her twin boys died last year. “I had nothing to do at home and life was difficult. My parents advised me to do this training instead of crying every day. They take care of my boys while I am here in boarding school.”

After the 6-month training Immaculatie wants to open her own hairdressing saloon in Karenga, a sub county of Kaabong district where she lives. “In Karenga there is only one hairdresser, so I think there is a chance to start. This training has given me hope. ” 
The hairdressing trainings are organized by Enabel’s Support to Skilling Uganda project, as part of the Skills Development Fund. The aim is to equip young Karamojong with employable skills to increase their livelihood opportunities. 

ADP program Manager, Christopher Komakich confirms that “The Skills Development Fund is helping us grow by allowing us to increase our capacity for high-quality training. We also developed a strategy to reach out to the local population. ”

After the training, students can request additional support from ADP to start their businesses.  However, they  need to prove the viability of their work plans within the domain that was taught  to them. When they then have a funding gap, ADP can provide start-up support and regular follow-ups. The Support to Skilling Uganda project in Karamoja is implemented with financial support from Irish Aid.