On Monday 11, April 2022, Media Personality Douglas Lwanga launched an initiative, the Purple Skills Klinic Foundation with the objective of skilling the Youths as an approach to solving the unemployment challenge in the country. The idea to start this initiative dates back three years ago as the NBS After 5 presenter explains;
“Three years ago, I and my team had this dream but like most of us, i was afraid to start. I knew it required a lot of expertise, resources and time to execute. So, I left the idea on my laptop telling myself i would do it one day.” He adds that he did not get started until when he met his friend and partner Peter Kisakye.
“…Until 2020 during lock down when i met a friend and a partner Peter Kisakye (Racers Bar). I am grateful we can now unveil it to you at this stage. Its been a lot of sleepless nights putting this organization together but yes we thank God thus far he’s brought us.”
About the Purple Skills Klinic Foundation
The Purple Skills Klinic Foundation is a registered NGO licensed to operate countrywide, and is regulated by the NGO Bureau of Uganda. Our focus is Skills training interventions as a solution to youth unemployment.
What Sparked the idea of the Skills Klinic?
“Through my work on television and my events, I interact with so many youth. Some are looking for jobs, others just need financial help to survive the day. This situation escalated during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Unemployment is not a problem of those that haven’t gone to school or the uneducated, but rather one that cuts across both the educated and uneducated.”
Purple Skills Klinic Foundation scope of work
The Foundation’s objective is to empower the youth through an array of methods and activities including but not limited to; skills training workshops, Apprenticeship for trainees, Soliciting startup capital for trainees, Career guidance, Mentorship and Master Classes, Psycho-social support and SRH.
Purple Skills Klinic interventions cover both soft and hard skills all designed to help solve the youth unemployment challenge.
Why they do what they do?
“The theory is simple “Give a hungry man fish and you feed him for day, but teach a hungry man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” Douglas says.
He further notes that he has always shared his Campus story.
“The story started way back at Campus. I went to do my BA Mass com degree at MUK but after completing that degree I only had both theory and my transcript but no practical skills to work in a broadcast house (Radio/TV) at a time. I worked for 2 years at a small production house as a camera man filming weddings and events with my ka degree.”
“At this place, I learnt hands on Skills in video editing, Graphics and animation, plus live events production. This right here is what got me my first TV job at Record TV as a camera man to later becoming a TV personality and is now also my side hustle when am not on TV. I do events, graphics and animation and I know most of the things around production.”
The imbalance of available jobs Vs Job Seekers.
Douglas says;
We all agree Its difficult to get a job because there so many job seekers chasing the very few available jobs. However, what if we thought differently.
a) Job seeker, Is there anything you are skilled in as you hunt for that ideal job?
b) Graduate, What skills do you have besides your academic transcript?
c) Employed youth, Is there something else you can do outside your formal employment?
d) Unemployed Youth, what are you able to do if you completely fail to get a job. Do you have plan B or any other skills to employ yourself?
“In the end, although we are not yet where we want to be, we know with your support and guidance we will realize this dream. We are now open and starting to enroll students. Students fees and course details shall be communicated,” Douglas concludes.
Signup for short courses and Master Classes
-ICT and Digital courses
-Cosmetology
-Fashion and modeling
-Creative arts
-Media skills
-And Linguistics
How you can support this Initiative?
We humbly welcome any form of support. From individuals, NGOs, and institutions interested in partnerships please reach out to us we would be glad to work together.
If you are interested in working with us, you can do so through,
a) Donation of training equipment (Computers, Baking Equipment, Video cameras, Photo cameras, Electric Sewing machines, Saloon Equipment , furniture etc)
b) offering your workplace to some of the trainees to do internship and learn on job
c) Volunteering at our center
d) Partnerships with NGOs, Individuals, & institutions to push further the agenda.
e) Sponsor a student/Trainee
f) Advice and
g) any financial assistance whatsoever donated to the NGO
Purple Skills Klinic foundation is located in Bukoto Mulimira Zone Kampala, near Kampala International school of Uganda (KISU)
You can also reach them via their email – Skillsklinic@gmail.com or call +256751666665
