Economic Empowerment

“After the LEAP training, I decided to join a Mind-Set Education training offered by the International Youth Fellowship in order to become a specialist in mentorship, like our trainer Tom. After completing the training, I will move to schools and other places teaching other youths how they can have the right mind-set and follow their dreams as a result. The mind-set, the leadership skills and the pitching lesson we acquired from MCE all served to open up my eyes to striving for something in line with my vision. My dream is to create jobs and opportunities for youths. I aspire to be rich. More importantly, I want to live to help others, something that Mme Chantal Mutamuriza, who is my role model, taught me.

Patience is the first-born of a family of five who fled the violence in Burundi since 2015. None of the five children is going to school, the biggest challenge being to meet family basic needs. Patience never gave up on her dream of becoming a musician, which she hopes will help her to earn enough to support her family and other young people. “The most defining knowledge that I got from MCE training is related to decision-making, goal-setting, leadership, and how to carry myself during an interview. For example, my goal is to be one of the greatest guitarists in the world in the next ten years. To reach that goal, I started teaching French lessons in Ugandan schools to have an income that will enable me to enroll into a school where I will thoroughly study music.

Gislaine fled Burundi with her sister in June 2015. She had just completed high school and intended to go to university to follow her dream of becoming a medical doctor. When violence erupted in Burundi, she fled to Uganda leaving behind her dream. Today she struggles to make ends meet with the hope to one day find the means to start medical school. “I feel lucky to have had the chance to take part in the youth training organised by Light4All and MCE. Through the course, I learnt many skills, which are going to help me throughout my life. I am confident that I can now start a business and prosper because I now know how to make the right choices and relevant decisions.