Awio Lona, a young mother from Odipa-Wigweng Village in Agali Sub-county, Lira District, is an inspiring beneficiary of the Organisation for Community Action (OCA) programme. Living with her mother, who is a person living with HIV, Lona has faced significant socio-economic hardships from an early age.
Before joining the training, Lona admired tailoring from a distance, often inspired by a friend who practiced the trade. Today, she no longer sees it as a distant dream, but as a skill she confidently possesses.
Through the programme, she has gained practical tailoring skills, enabling her to make her own clothes and carry out basic repairs. She has already started earning small amounts of income, which she uses to support her child.
Lona also shared a deeply personal moment of pride when she presented a dress she had made to her mother. Her mother, Evelyn Akello, expressed her joy, saying:
For Lona, this training represents more than just skill acquisition; it is a pathway to dignity, self-reliance, and renewed hope for her family.
This story demonstrates the tangible impact of OCA’s vocational training programme in transforming lives, strengthening resilience, and creating opportunities for vulnerable young women to achieve economic independence.
Written by OCA
