Connecting the Dots
Our Connecting the Dots training and employment programme has transformed the lives of young people with disabilities in western Uganda.
During the initial four year-project, Connecting the Dots has delivered vocational training, transformed attitudes to disability and strengthened the work of organisations working with people with disabilities.
The project has provided vocational training for more than 300 young people with disabilities, and changed attitudes to disability by showing that people with disabilities can be valued, productive employees.
A follow-up project is building on the success of Connecting the Dots by increasing the number of participants and expanding to another district.
The European Commission has funded the economic empowerment programme since 2012, and additional funding was awarded in August 2017 by the National Lottery Community Fund. This generous support has helped to transform the lives of hundreds of young people with disabilities in Uganda.
Stories
Isaac's story
“When I started to learn knitting, it was difficult. But I thought: I tell everyone who knows me that I’m clever; how can I go home?”
Read Isaac’s story
Edith’s story
“Here in Uganda the attitude was negative. People with disabilities were often nicknamed ‘kateyemba’, which means ‘the unable one’”.
Read Edith’s story
Rajab’s story
Rajab dropped out of school after his senior six year because his mother, a farmer, couldn’t continue to pay the fees for further education.
Read Rajab’s story
More from Connecting the Dots
Romance blooms in Sightsavers’ Uganda programme
Finding true love isn’t easy. For Najiiba and Julius, it seemed almost impossible because of the stigma they faced due to their disabilities.
Sightsavers calls on world leaders to prioritise people with disabilities
To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Sightsavers is calling on the international community to make people with disabilities a priority in efforts to eradicate poverty.
Sightsavers’ Uganda trip features in Guardian photo story
Photographer Graeme Robertson took the portraits of students at Bishop Willis school in Iganda, Uganda.
