International Rescue Committee, Inc.

CHARITY STORY

21-year-old Welder in Kampala, Uganda

Photo Caption

Rahma

Photo Credit

Joseph Sozi for the IRC

When 21-year-old welder, Rahma’s family didn’t have enough money to send her to school she was sent to live with her older sister in Kampala. This is where she heard about the IRC and Ikea Foundation’s Re:BUiLD Program. “My sister told me to fill the forms and I took them” said Rahma, “the good thing is they called!”

Rahama studied Welding and was ready to take her training to the next level. Looking for local opportunities for a work placement wasn’t easy as a young woman. “I went to ask for a place to do my work from to study but the guys told me we cannot give girls a job, they told me to go to the hotels and start serving foods.”

Even some of her colleagues where she works now didn’t believe in her when she first arrived. “The first day I came here I met some guy here. The guy told me what have you come here to do? I tell the guy I'm here for welding and he said, 'you cannot do this job.' I said yes if you can learn that means that I will also learn. So, the guy gave me the opportunity and said: ‘if you can compete with the guys, then you can stay here and work.’ So, I had to compete with them and I'm still here, not giving up.” Rahma said that after a while her male colleagues started to help her and her female colleague at work.

Working as a Welder has meant Rahma is able to support herself and her sister and even send money back to her mother. “This job has changed a lot for me,” She says, “I can own my own phone. I lived for a bit without a phone. I came to my sister without a phone. I couldn't afford to buy for me a phone because even some time could sleep without eating.”

As for the future, Rahma dreams of running her own business and training other young people like herself. “I would love to offer trainings to anyone who's willing, especially the girls. I can learn today and share that opportunity to anyone.”

CHARITY VIDEO

Refugees bring more than they carry

Transcript

[music plays]
As refugees,
Image: Mother carrying daughter
When we were forced to leave our homes
Image: Baby riding in vehicle
Image: Person standing in front of destructed building
We left all that made it home
Image: Damage of building
Image: Photos of family pictures
Family and friends,
Image: Group singing and playing instrument
The comforts we knew
Image: Group of men sitting together talking
The places we loved
Image: Girl on her friend’s shoulders smiling
Image: Friends at the market waving
Image: Couple in front of tourist building
And the lives we lived.
Image: Father and daughter
Image: Girls doing ballet
We left home with next to nothing
Image: Group of little boys walking
Image: Family walking away
But what do we bring?
Image: Father and 2 kids
Image: Man sitting
Image: Kid being held up by man
Images: Photos of people, kids, students, friends
We bring hope for tomorrow
Image: Kid laughing with Father
Images: Daughter hugging Mother
We bring passion
Image: Woman sewing dress
As big as our dreams.
Image: Closeup of Woman who was making dress
Experience as rich as our stories
Image: Waiters at a restaurant bringing food
Image: Person obtaining diploma, graduating
New perspectives
Image: Artist painting
Image: Artist showing off painting
And new possibilities.
Image: Person skateboarding
We bring open minds,
Image: Man holding up two peace signs
Image: Woman in sunglasses laughing
And the strength to start again
Image: Person walking to local business
Image: Owner packing goods from store to customer
We bring the past in our hearts
Image: Photos of old family pictures
And the future in our arms
Image: Parents holding kids
As refugees we left home with only what we could carry.
Image: Closeup of man
Image: Photos of friends, family, children
But what we bring
Image: Mother holding up baby
Is so much more
Image: Family standing together
Text: Welcome refugees and all that they bring.
[music fades]
Image: International Rescue Committee logo – learn more: rescue.org