exams

Exam Time (No All-nighters required!)

What do you think of when you think of exams? For me, it’s pulling all-nighters and going to the local truck stop at 2am to get greasy carbs and hot (bad!) coffee to stay awake.

Fortunately for our students, that’s not required. (I don’t think truck stops are a thing in Uganda!)

For the Hairdressing mid-terms, the girls have to bring in their own “client” and create the style of their choice. Some girls are fast, and some are slowerthat’s ok!

Our goal is competency, not speed. These exams give the teachers vital information to make sure that each student is getting the help they need to graduate and either get a job in a salon or start their own small business.

Tailoring is having mid-terms, too, for the same reason.

Competency.

We don’t issue report cards. We don’t have a GPA. Some of the girls have been through our Literacy program and some are unable to read and write.

It doesn’t matter.

What matters is that, when they graduate from Skills for Life, they can create a sustainable life for themselves and their families. If it takes longer to learn? We’ll be there. If they’re fast learners? We’ll challenge them.

Really, that’s how education should be!

We couldn’t do this without your support, and we are thankful for you every day (and every braid!) along the way.

Webele nyo!

Jennings

PS Did you know we have a Bonfire store with shirts and bags? Check it out below – maybe you’ll find some good Christmas gifts for family and friends. (Or you… just sayin’!)

CHECK THE MERCH!

PSS Don’t forget to grab your FREE ticket and hear me speak on the 11th!

jennings expat money show speaking ticket

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We Had a Fashion Show – and It Was Great!

When I tell people that we take 3 weeks to do final exams – in a program where the coursework goes 4 months – they are amazed. And a bit horrified, thinking back to their own school exams.

But that’s not how we roll…

During our exams, the Tailoring girls each make a two set designs: a school uniform and a work uniform. These are things they can make money doing in a small business, or get a job doing at a small factory.

Then they get to create a dress, and WOW! These are their own designs, their own creations, their own imaginations. Then they do a fashion show expo to show off their work.

Not only did they do a great job, they had SASS. Attitude. Pride. They strutted down the “runway”, popping their hips and twirling for the audience. It was great!

Why is this more than just a fun anecdote?

The girls in Skills for Life are among the poorest of the poor. Most have never been to school. Many are teenage mothers who have engaged in sex work to survive. Not only did their mothers not encourage them to great things in the world — they often are the ones encouraging them into prostitution.

NO ONE expected anything, literally anything, from these girls.

Until they came to Touch the Slum.

Without fail (so far!) they rise to the expectation, and it’s truly glorious to watch.

THANK YOU – you are the one making this possible. This smile, this sass, this HOPE. That’s on you!

Webele nyo!

Jennings

PS Our project for funding the hairdressing supplies for final exams is 77% funded — we just need $65. We’d love your help to close it out! Click —->

Exam Supplies Project

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