From Learner to Leader: How Tracy Turned Skills Into Opportunity
What began as mentorship has grown into a livelihood, a commitment to supporting youth, and a ripple effect reaching far beyond one classroom.
Tracy grew up in Gulu, Northern Uganda, in a family where education was strongly valued, even though resources were stretched thin. While in secondary school, she was determined to make the most of the opportunities available to her, eagerly joining Educate!’s model in Uganda, which supports young men and women to build confidence, agency, and practical skills to pursue economic opportunity.
Guided by her Youth Mentor, with support from an Educate! Senior Program Officer, Tracy took her first step into business: selling popcorn, pancakes, and snacks to her peers. With little startup capital, she was encouraged not to wait until she felt “ready,” but to learn by doing. Each sale became a lesson. Tracy learned how to conduct research, market products, and communicate with customers — building both a small income and growing confidence.
After graduating, Tracy felt a strong pull to stay involved. Inspired by the way her mentor helped her and fellow students believe in their potential and turn ideas into action, she applied to be an Educate! Mentor.
“I didn’t want those skills to end with me,” Tracy shared. “I wanted to pass them on.”
Returning to classrooms much like the ones she had sat in only a few years earlier, she was reminded how powerful it is to learn from someone who has walked the same path. Tracy has especially gravitated toward mentoring young girls, emphasizing the importance of building financial independence early to provide greater confidence and control when navigating the job market and social expectations.
Alongside her work as a Youth Mentor, Tracy leveraged skills learned from Educate! to launch a small second-hand clothing business. She chose the venture for its steady demand and strong profit margins, particularly among women. Tracy’s own business experience is a critical part of how she supports her students — allowing her to share customer relationships, pricing, and business development.
“It makes me feel proud of myself, and of the youth I mentor, when I see them start their own businesses. I feel impactful when I see young girls and boys take my advice and start something for themselves.”
Tracy’s venture has grown steadily, and she has been able to open her own shop. Thrifted dresses now drape over mannequins displayed outside the entrance of her store, drawing in passersby. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her business by supplying clothing to other small vendors in Gulu and surrounding districts.
In many ways, Tracy’s journey has come full circle. What began as an investment in one student and support from empowering mentors, has now grown into opportunity for many — demonstrating how mentorship, when paired with practical skills, can multiply impact.