A resilient single mother, Hajara Kawara, learnt about reproductive health, family planning, and financial literacy for six months, and took part in hands-on training in knitting. She now owns a knitting business with which she supports herself and her child.
Hajara Kawara, a young single mother without any formal education, now owns a knitting business with which she supports herself. She was one of 50 participants of the apprenticeship training conducted by BRAC Uganda under the Education Empowerment and Life-Skills for Adolescent Girls and Young Children (EELAY) project.
After her mother’s death, Hajara was left with barely any money, so school was never an option for her. When she was only 17, she started working as a housemaid, where her employer sexually assaulted her. As she was dealing with the trauma of the assault, Hajara soon discovered she was pregnant. These circumstances steered her towards a world of deep despair and sadness until one day, a friend told her about an organisation called BRAC training young girls like herself and equipping them with skills to improve their lives.
Hajara learnt about reproductive health, family planning, and financial literacy for six months. She also took part in hands-on training in knitting. After the training, BRAC Uganda provided her with a startup kit that included a knitting machine. Hajara distinctly remembers that as the happiest day of her life.
With the help of the kit, she has built a successful knitting business that is doing well even amidst the pandemic. Hajara, whose life was once in a cloud of uncertainty, proudly says now, “I can support myself and my child all on my own. Thanks to BRAC, my life is so much better than it was before.”
