February 10, 2022 – Recently, 160 youths from in and around the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement graduated from our intensive Business & Entrepreneurship training program. As a precursor to the youths launching 16 small businesses, the program – which lasted for a period of six months – was designed to empower the youths with the knowledge and skills they will need not only to launch new businesses, but also to manage them effectively and ensure that each will grow and prosper.
The trainings took part under the auspices of WPDI’s Business Bootcamp initiative, a platform we have designed to promote local entrepreneurship through vocational training and business incubation. As economic development and lasting peace are two sides of the same coin, we have initiated this program to ensure that development occurs directly at the grassroots.
The cohort of local youths began their journey with us in July of last year. Their training, offered at our Community Learning Center, began with learning about the basics of business, which included modules in record keeping, risk management, and business planning. As they began to master these concepts, WPDI’s trainers walked them through the intermediate-level Business & Entrepreneurship course material we regularly offer at our Community Learning Center. In the second part of the training, the intermediate-level course,the youths learned how to conduct a market analysis, identify entrepreneurial opportunities, and even write their own business plans. Our team also prepared a special financial literacy workshop for them to ensure they each had a strong understanding of different financial products and services.
At the training’s graduation ceremony, many of the trainees testified to the training’s strong personal impact. “I am not the same person that I was six months ago,” said Lucy, a 25-year-old South Sudanese refugee. “I am determined to apply the skills I gained to making our business a success. All of us know how important it is to work together as a team and support one another.” Annet, a 22-year-old South Sudanese refugee, shared a similar sentiment. She told us how “Now, I belong to a group that is so motivated to make a change in our community. This is our time and we are confident in the future.”
With their training now complete, the 160 youths will, in groups of 10, soon launch 16 new small businesses and cooperatives, with support and guidance from WPDI and our partners. As Annet expressed so clearly at the graduation, with their new knowledge and skills in business and entrepreneurship, now is indeed their time to make a change in their communities.
This program is made possible thanks to the financial support of a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous.