Zolena was a graduate of Agape of Hope, a Ugandan NGO in 2017. She had just completed her secondary education and heard an announcement in church that Agape was looking for young people to enrol for tailoring training in Kasese. Zolena was successful in applying and completed her training after six months, receiving a certificate in tailoring and design.

She returned home but didn’t have enough funds to buy a sewing machine and set up her own business. She, therefore, started growing tomatoes and selling them in the local market to support herself and her young child.

However, out of the blue, she received a call from Agape asking if she would like to come back and undertake an advanced four-month course in clothing design. Zolena jumped at the chance and passed with flying colours. She got a job teaching tailoring at a local secondary school but then COVID came and the school closed for almost two years. All schools and vocational training establishments were forced to close, including Agape. However, in January this year when Agape reopened, they employed Zolena to teach tailoring and design. She now works for Agape on weekdays but in the evenings and at weekends she designs, makes and sells the clothes she has made.