In May 2022, as Laker Lydia Rosemary sat at the sewing machine, learning to sew, her future felt uncertain. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Lydia was forced to leave formal schooling after her father’s shop business collapsed. Shortly afterward, her father passed on, leaving her an orphan.
As the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll, Paul Ampire worried about how he would continue his secondary education without the necessary school fees. Yet, the pandemic proved to be a blessing in disguise. With schools in Uganda closed, Paul seized the opportunity to work on banana plantations and other side hustles to earn the much-needed money for his tuition and scholastic materials when schools would reopen.
Gulu Sprinters Rugby Football Club (GUSFAB) is partnering with Cemelia Initiatives Africa to support key club activities. “The club is composed of young female athletes who actively engage in a variety of initiatives including club rugby, school rugby, income-generating activities, and environmental protection efforts in Gulu city and its surrounding areas,” Robert Ojok, the club’s Founder, revealed.