ZORUDENA expands skilling and microfinance project in Zombo
He has been vocal in urging youth to take up vocational training as a solution to unemployment in the area.
Zombo: In an effort to address youth unemployment and improve financial access, the Zombo Rural Development Network Association Uganda (ZORUDENA) has expanded its skilling and microfinance services to Alangi and Nyapea Sub-Counties.
The organization, which focuses on bridging economic gaps and improving the standard of living for vulnerable communities, has primarily been operating in Paidha Town Council and Paidha Sub-County. However, due to high demand, ZORUDENA is now extending its services to hard-to-reach communities.
Speaking to this publication, ZORUDENA Project Coordinator, Jackson Otingcwinyu, highlighted the organization’s commitment to empowering youth, especially teenage mothers who were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have extended our activities to change lives in Nyapea and Alangi Sub-Counties. Over the years, we have witnessed significant improvements in livelihoods, and we intend to expand our impact beyond Zombo District to other parts of West Nile as well,” Otingcwinyu stated.
The organization, which is funded by a Swiss NGO, focuses on equipping vulnerable groups with practical skills, providing access to microfinance for small business growth, promoting education and social well-being and supporting children, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Otingcwinyu encouraged youths to embrace the initiative, while also urging participants in ZORUDENA’s microfinance scheme to adhere to the friendly loan terms to ensure funds remain accessible to others in need.
Zombo District is home to several vocational training institutions, including Ora Technical Institute Warr and the Presidential Skilling Hub in Aka Sub-County.
Ora County MP, Songa Biyika Lawrence, has been vocal in urging youth to take up vocational training as a solution to unemployment in the area.
Through ZORUDENA’s skilling project, hundreds of youth have been trained and equipped with start-up kits, enabling them to become self-reliant. Many beneficiaries who accessed loans through ZORUDENA’s microfinance scheme have success stories, including paying school fees for their children and establishing successful businesses.
According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), youth unemployment in 2021 stood at 17%. ZORUDENA’s initiatives are seen as crucial steps toward reducing this figure.
With Zombo District’s population at 312,188, recent surveys indicate that 65% of youths in the district cannot read or write. The promotion of hands-on skills is seen as a solution to illiteracy and unemployment, equipping young people with practical knowledge to thrive in the job market.
Bruno Obomba Mananu, Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, praised organizations like ZORUDENA for complementing government efforts in the fight against poverty and unemployment.
“I commend organizations that support the government’s efforts. We have an industrial hub in Atheju, but the numbers we can support are limited,” Obomba noted, encouraging youth to use their skills for self-reliance.
Meanwhile, Zombo’s Community Development Officer, Samuel Ocaki, speaking at a recent function in Zeu Sub-County, urged youth to put their acquired skills to good use and avoid idleness. He also called on parents to support their children’s development and foster peaceful communities.
ZORUDENA remains committed to improving livelihoods by offering training in tailoring, garment cutting, hairdressing, cosmetology, and financial literacy. The initiative continues to empower youth and provide hope for a brighter, more self-sufficient future in Zombo.
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