At just four years old, George Nuwabiine lost his father. Life grew even harder when his mother fell ill and could no longer care for him and his five siblings. Fortunately, his maternal aunt stepped in, raising him. She supported him until he completed Senior One, but unfortunately, this did not last long due to the domestic challenges his aunt had. George gas to return to Mbarara, his home district.

He lived with his sister, who enrolled him in Mbarara Army Secondary School. However, the burden of fees was too heavy. To survive, George took up a job as a street sweeper with the Mbarara City Council. Every day, he woke up at 3:20 am to sweep the streets before heading to school to earn an extra source of income and make ends meet.

Despite the challenges, George did not give up. After completing his O’level in 2022, he joined Kadogo Community Polytechnic Institute, where he attained a Certificate in Automotive Mechanics. His school fees came from his sweeping job with occasional help from his sister.

In February this year, George’s path took a new turn. Through a church member, he learned about AIRD’s multi-skilling training in Mbarara. Determined to reach his dream, he applied, passed the interview, and was enrolled. At first, he worried about working alongside refugees who spoke different languages, but he embraced the opportunity. “I chose to learn from them, and they also learned from me. We became friends,” he shares with pride.

Today, George interns at the CFAO workshop in Mbarara, where he has gained invaluable hands-on experience. He confidently does clutch overhauls, silencer replacements, wiring and bulb installations, brake replacements, and car servicing. The training has deepened his knowledge and strengthened his dream.

George’s dreams of becoming a successful engineer. He hopes to one day pursue a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, building on the foundation he has fought so hard to create.

Written by

Yvonne Njuna