Our History

Shine With Skills (SWS) is a non-profit organization founded in Jinja, Uganda by ISHENDA FRANCIS and MUKAWUMBYA IMMACULATE in 2017, with official registration following in 2019. Their mission is to empower young people of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities to achieve economic independence.

Recognizing the Need:

A feasibility study conducted by SWS revealed a critical issue: high poverty rates among single mothers and unskilled youth. This finding fueled the founders’ vision to create a support system for these vulnerable groups.

Breaking the Poverty Cycle:

SWS understands that many factors contribute to youth poverty, including lack of technical skills, difficult upbringings, cultural limitations, and limited job opportunities. Their vision is to transform the community by fostering self-reliance and economic independence among young people.

Empowering Through Skills:

SWS goes beyond traditional education, focusing on practical skills training. They offer programs in tailoring, welding, hairdressing, carpentry, computer training, and even fish cage farming. These programs are open to all interested youths, empowering them to become job creators rather than job seekers, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty.

Focus on Unskilled Youth:

SWS recognizes that many Ugandan youths leave school without the skills needed to find work.  Since young people make up a significant portion of the population and workforce, SWS prioritizes skilling this demographic to unlock their potential.

Beyond Literacy:

While literacy is important, SWS believes true empowerment lies in equipping young people with practical skills that can lead to economic opportunities.

In summary, Shine With Skills Foundation is a beacon of hope for young Ugandans, providing them with the tools and confidence to build a brighter future.