Dear friends of GHADS
We heartily thank you individually and collectively for continual support and cooperation you have rendered to us throughout the Year 2023.
Girls have a Dream School is a family working together to ensure that the most vulnerable are empowered with the right skills to build sustainable sources of live hood.
2023 was a year of exciting achievements as we welcomed our new partners on board,
Harald Bovre and Hans Gulseth. We are so grateful for the working relations and support they have rendered to the school.
As we reflect on the successes, we are reminded once again that we could never have done this alone. It has only been achieved with the meaningful partnership of friends. That is why we are excited to present to you the 2023 high lights and stories from GHADS.
In 2023, 48 girls were trained in various trades through our skills training program at the center and 182 girls were reached via our outreach programs.
At school the programs run for one year where students are trained in their preferred skills following a curriculum set by the Directorate of Industrial Training after which they are examined and certified by the same establishments under the Ministry of Education and Sports. There after graduation follows.
Since 2021 we have been conducting outreach programs in local schools working hand in hand with the teachers to reduce the primary school dropout rate among adolescent girls.
On average girls in rural and semi-rural parts of Uganda miss up to 9 days of school per term due to menstruation. To help keep girls in school we train in making reusable sanitary pads and also provides hygiene education.
SCHOOL TARGET
Our target this year is to increase the number of girls training in various trades at Girls Have a Dream school from 48 to 80 girls.
On 14th April 2023 celebrated 10 years of empowering vulnerable girls supporting them to build sustainable sources of livelihood. Over the last ten years ,Girls Have a Dream School and its incredible supporters have impacted the lives of vulnerable girls ,providing safe spaces for girls to gain different skills for employment and also access support services .
“Every time i visit a girl who trained with us at Girls Have a Dream School and I see the excitement in her face, busy at work and then recall how the situation was before she enrolled for training at GHADS ,I feel humbled and grateful for the opportunity i have been given to participate in this work and contribute to the success of these girls,” says Esther ,Head of Girls Have a Dream School.
SUCCESS STORY
The warm smile that Beatrice wears as she welcomes you to her place of work is an indication of the love she attaches to her work as a hair dresser. “Having gained the skills of a profession hair dresser at Girls Have a Dream school ,It was easy for me to get a job in a saloon, am so grate ful for the opportunity I received to learn a skill and I have hope that the future will be bright for me ‘’, says Beatrice (17).
OTHER ACTIVTIES
Participated in the World Aids Day Celebration for Wakiso District held at Wampewo Primary School. This was aimed at creating awareness and safe guarding the youths against HIV/AIDS.
In July participated in the Uganda Vocational Institutions Sports Gala held at KisubiTechinical Institute and we held the 6th position out of 17 teams that participated in the netball tournament.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
An administrator was recruited, and her duties include, supervision of teaching and non-teaching staff, evaluation of the learning outcomes of our training programs, providing a safe learning environment for the trainees among others.
An accountant was hired to manage financial records.
A restaurant was set up as part of the catering department and stocked with some modern kitchen ware and equipment. The department also produces snacks for sale .The students will spend part of their time in the restaurant under the guidance of their teacher and in this way they will learn the basic behaviors and self-discipline needed to be successful skilled workers in the industry they also see how the technical skills they are learning are used in the workplace (restaurant).
The restaurant will also generate additional income for running the school.
An engagement with the landlord was reached to provide the school with more space by renting the whole premise to create more room for classes and accommodation for girls. The feedback was that it will be a step by step eviction of tenants after making a down payment for one year in advance equivalent to 18,000,000 Uganda shillings. For this reason the maximum number of trainees will not go beyond 80 because of space.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial reports and donor contribution statement will follow after compilation
BEGINNING OF SCHOOL TERM
The new term starts on 5th February 2024.
CONCLUSION
The year was full of excitement and success stories which would not be possible without the amazing staff, volunteers, board members, supporters and community partners. I want to personally thank each and every one of you for time, commitment, dedication and support over the past years and wish you a happy new year as we continue working together for a common cause.
Sincerely yours
Esther Nalule
Head of GHADS
