Fazira dreamed of becoming a fashion designer from a young age, inspired by the African print dresses her mother made for special occasions. But after losing her father, leaving school, and becoming a young mother, that dream felt increasingly out of reach. When Fazira joined Educate!’s livelihood bootcamp, one lesson stayed with her: “Yes, I can.” Today, she runs her own tailoring business, supports herself and her child, and is steadily building the future she once imagined.

Nangobi left school early when her family could no longer afford school fees. For a while, her days revolved around chores and farming. When she joined Educate!’s livelihood bootcamp, one lesson stayed with her: progress starts small — and grows with persistence. Today, her food stall serves regular customers, covers her basic needs, and shows how self-belief and skills can turn into steady income.

Peer-to-peer mentorship bridges the gap between learning and practical application whether within the education system or through out-of-school youth bootcamps.

This blog post features Educate!’s Managing Director, Uganda and Gender Specialist, Hawah Nabbuye, sharing her beliefs and experiences with gender equity and empowerment.

Empowering youth in Africa with skills for dignified livelihoods and employment doesn't just support them to improve their personal prospects – it can also trigger positive ripple effects throughout their communities. Prossy and Ivan from Uganda are among the many young people translating practical skills learned through Educate!’s livelihood bootcamp into impact.