About The Project

Why This Matters

Uganda hosts over 1.6 million refugees (UNHCR, 2024). Many of them, especially youth and women, struggle to access skills training, decent work, or startup capital. Without opportunities, refugees remain trapped in cycles of poverty and dependence.

Overview

At VOCAX, we believe that every person deserves access to quality skills training and opportunities to build a better future. Our Refugee Training & Sponsorship Program is designed to equip refugees and displaced persons with practical vocational skills, while also creating pathways for sponsorship to ensure no one is left behind due to financial barriers.

Objectives

• Provide hands-on vocational training in areas such as hair dressing, public speaking, language training, catering, computer training, fashion & design, entrepreneurship, and more.
• Support refugee youth and women to become self-reliant through skills and entrepreneurship.
• Offer sponsorship opportunities that cover tuition, training materials, and basic needs during training.
• Connect trained refugees with internships, job placements, and startup support.
• Build inclusive communities where host and refugee populations learn and work together.

Our Solution

• Hands-On Skills Training in hair dressing, catering, computer training, public speaking and language training, tailoring, fashion, and entrepreneurship.
• Sponsorship Packages that cover tuition, toolkits, meals, and transport.
• Job Linkages & Startup Support to ensure graduates don’t just learn, but also earn.
• Inclusive Learning where refugees and host community youth learn together to build peace and social cohesion.

How It Works

1. Enrollment; Refugees apply for training through our partner organizations, community leaders, or directly at our training center.
2. Skills Training; Participants engage in structured vocational programs, with 80–90% practical learning and mentorship from experienced trainers.
3. Sponsorship Support; Through partnerships with donors, foundations, and individuals, we provide scholarships and stipends that cover:

• Training fees
• Learning materials and toolkits
• Meals during training
• Transportation support (where possible)

Transition to Employment/Enterprise

Graduates are supported with:

1. Job placement in partner companies
2. Startup kits for small businesses
3. Access to micro-finance and savings groups

Impact So Far

• 250 refugees trained in Hair Dressing, fashion and Design, Public Speaking, Computer training, Entrepreneurship and Catering.
• 70% graduates employed or self-employed within 6 months of training.
• 100 sponsorships awarded through partner support, and Individual donors.
• Growing network of alumni who mentor and inspire new learners.

Get Involved

• For Sponsors & Donors: Your support can directly change lives. By sponsoring a refugee student, you provide access to education, hope, and sustainable livelihoods. Sponsorship packages start from as little as $100 per course

• For Partners: Collaborate with us to scale impact, whether through funding, internship placements, or providing startup resources.

• For Refugees Seeking Training: Reach out to our team via the Contact Us page or visit our office to check available training slots and sponsorship options.

Sponsorship Packages

Donors can choose how to support:

• $100 – Provides training materials and a starter kit for one student.
• $300 – Covers full tuition and meals for a 3-month training course.
• $1,000 – Supports one graduate with a complete startup kit to launch a business.
• $5,000+ – Sponsors a full training cohort of 20 refugee youth.

Every contribution creates skills, dignity, and independence.