When Sarah Namutebi first joined St. Pierre and Alix Life Skills Training College in 2019, she was a shy 17-year-old with a dream of helping her single mother support their family. She had dropped out of school after Senior Four because of financial difficulties. Like many Ugandan youth, Sarah felt uncertain about her future—until she found purpose in a sewing machine.
A New Beginning
Sarah enrolled in the Tailoring, Fashion, and Design program at the institute after being introduced by a friend from her church. She had never touched a sewing machine before but was determined to learn. Her trainers recall her enthusiasm, staying late to practice, and asking questions tirelessly. “She had a passion for excellence,” said Ms. Prossy, her instructor.
Within three months, Sarah was confidently cutting, stitching, and assembling garments. Her first big breakthrough came when she designed a beautiful dress for a fellow student for the institute’s Cultural Day. That dress became the talk of the event — and her first paying client.
Turning Passion into Profit
Using the skills she gained, Sarah started a small home-based tailoring business during her second term. With support from the institute’s entrepreneurship lessons, she marketed her services to neighbors, using Whats App to share photos and take orders.
After graduation, Sarah secured a small grant from a local NGO that supports girls in business. She used this money to buy her first industrial sewing machine and rent a shared workspace in Wakiso. Today, her shop, “Sally’s Stitches”, employs two other young women and handles everything from school uniforms to bridal gowns.
Overcoming Challenges
Like many young entrepreneurs, Sarah faced challenges: delayed payments, fabric shortages, and power cuts. But the guidance and confidence she received from her instructors at St. Pierre and Alix Life Skills Training College helped her stay resilient. “They didn’t just teach us tailoring — they taught us to believe in ourselves,” she says.
Giving Back
Now, Sarah volunteers at her former institute once a month to mentor current tailoring students. She brings in samples of her work, shares her story, and even helps place some graduates in her workshop during busy seasons. “I want every girl to know that you don’t need a lot of money to start. Just skills and the will to try,” she says.
A Model of Success
Sarah’s story is one of many emerging from St. Pierre and Alix Life Skills Training College. It shows how vocational training is not just about getting a certificate — it’s about unlocking potential and creating ripple effects in communities.
To every young person out there wondering if their dreams are valid — Sarah is proof that with determination and the right training, you can stitch a new future for yourself, one thread at a time.
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