How a training opportunity changed Sifa’s life
Gloria Sifa’s story begins with curiosity to create, to craft and to build something of her own.
At 28, this young woman turned her love for tailoring into a life-changing journey, discovering opportunities that would take her from Kyaka II refugee settlement to the bustling workshops of Jinja town in Eastern Uganda.
Sifa came to Uganda from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2018 with her mother, leaving behind a life she could barely imagine continuing. School was a distant dream, as her mother could barely afford the basics, yet Sifa never lost her determination to learn.
“I always wanted to do something meaningful with my hands,” she recalls.
“I didn’t know how or when it would happen, but I knew I had to try. I used to visit friends who had tailoring businesses and ask them to teach me, but they wouldn’t.”
A spark turned into opportunity
In June 2024, Sifa’s dedication found a path through the Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment & Transformation Initiative (RETI), implemented by Finn Church Aid (FCA) Uganda in partnership with Muni University and supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
She was placed under a local artisan for a three-month training in tailoring, a chance to turn curiosity into skill.
“The training opened my eyes,” Sifa says. “It wasn’t just about making clothes; it was about creating value from what I could do. I felt ready for what came next.”
Stepping into her own future
Upon completing her training and earning her certificate, Sifa’s journey took another exciting turn. FCA approached her with a job opportunity at Nyanza Textile Industries Limited (NYTIL), a major textile factory in Jinja, offering her the chance to earn an income.
“I had always dreamed of leaving the settlement and making money to help my mother,” Sifa shares.
In June 2025, with FCA’s support, she moved to Jinja and started working in the Garments and Fabrics department at NYTIL factory.
Her first month brought in 300,000 UGX (USD 81), and by November 2025, her earnings had increased to 970,000 UGX (USD 262). Gloria recalls the moment with amazement.
“I couldn’t believe it. I had never had this much money in my life.”
With her earnings, she purchased two tailoring machines, renting them out for 30,000 UGX (USD 8) each back at home in Kyaka II refugee settlement.
She also repaid a 500,000 UGX (USD 135) debt her mother had carried for years. She also improved the house where they live, creating a more comfortable home.
Inspiring others
Sifa’s achievements have sparked curiosity and hope among her peers. Friends in the settlement call her to ask how they, too, can access similar opportunities.
“Three of my friends have joined the RETI program because I recommended them,” she says.
Her friend and now trainee, Uwera, says,
“Sifa inspired me. She showed me that even in the settlement, we can create a better life if we put in the effort.”
Her mother beams with pride:
“Seeing her accomplish all this in a short period makes me so happy. I believe she will do much more.”
Sifa’s story is no longer just about her, it’s about the possibilities she is weaving for everyone around her. Every garment she creates, every skill she shares, and every door she opens for her friends carries a thread of hope, turning her journey into a tapestry of opportunity that stretches far beyond herself.
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Text and Images: Linda Kabuzire / FCA