Testimonies from Rwenzori Special Needs Foundation (RSNF)

Despite the vocational training centre being closed for this year the staff at RSNF have continued to be busy. Alongside managing the building of the new centre they have been using the time to undertake further training in sign language, mentoring and providing further vocational training to previous students at their place of work.

This period is also being used to evaluate the long term impact of the interventions RSNF offers. We know that the vocational training, pigs and agriculture inputs have significant positive short term impact, but want to ensure that where possible the impact is long lasting. The data has yet to be evaluated but here are some of the testimonies we are receiving:

My name is Hassan. I studied knitting at RSNF. After my course, by the grace of God I started getting contracts in my neighbouring schools to knit sweaters, and this helped me a lot. I then started saving slowly until I started a barber shop. I started really small, with one shaving machine, one chair etc. Now my barber shop has very much improved because of my savings from knitting sweaters. I created space for my knitting machine in my shop so whenever I have no customers I get busy on my machine. Here in my village people know me as great knitter and barber. Thanks to RSNF for training me, I am able to take care of my wife and kid and they are happy.

“Apart from running my business, I also earn some income through farming and by training young people in tailoring. Over time, parents have come to trust me with their children, they believe in me, and this has greatly boosted my confidence.

Through small savings from my business, farming, and the tailoring training I offer, I was even

able to construct the modest house I now live in. The respect I receive in this community has grown significantly. In fact, many parents with children living with disabilities have started to value and care for them more, simply because they’ve seen what I’m able to achieve despite my own disability.

I sincerely thank RSNF for the confidence they instilled in me. Their support has helped me realize my worth and inspire others around me"