Namitala Maureen, a young mother from Kitintale Zone 12, had her life take a new turn after joining the SHE SOARS project implemented by Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM). Through life skills, SRH sessions, and vocational hairdressing training, Maureen gained confidence, and financial independence. Her journey highlights the
transformative impact of community-based empowerment interventions for vulnerable young women, one of the key cores that align with ROM’s overall programming.
Baseline Situation
Maureen birthed to her daughter in 2022. At that time, her partner was also facing financial difficulties, and they lived in a small rental house that cost only 50,000 shillings per month. She had no reliable source of income and lacked the practical skills to support herself or her child.
In January 2024, Martha Namatovu, a Peer Educator, and Ms. Nansikombi, known as “the Nabakyala,” used a megaphone to mobilize young girls and women to join the free SHE SOARS vocational skills training, which offered skills and startup kits. She testified,
“We began with life skills sessions that included Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education, and we were also introduced to safe menstrual hygiene practices, including making of reusable sanitary pads.”
Maureen was eventually enrolled in a six-month hairdressing course.
“While we were being skilled, I started practicing by styling the hair of my village mates. By the third month into the program, I had already gained regular customers. This money helped me to afford by transport fares to the training venue in kinawataka,” she shares.
Upon completing the course, Maureen received a starter kit with essential salon materials, including shampoo, a hand dryer, hair products, threads, rollers, combs, aprons, and hair gel. This support enabled her to kick-start her salon business and move toward financial independence.
She started working, officially launching her home-based salon in October 2024. She also joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group, where she contributes 20,000 shillings
every week.
“On a good day like Easter this year, I earned 70,000 Ugandan shillings after plaiting three clients. On regular days, I usually make between 10,000 and 20,000 shillings. The good thing about salon work is that it doesn’t require a lot of capital. I simply use or sell some of the starter
kit materials to the customers, like hair products and accessories, while I charge them for the labor,” she explains.
