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Giving voice to displaced children and young people.

A group of students and I recently attended a graduation ceremony in Kampala for online gig workers. Our journey began April 24th, 2025 on a Thursday morning as we prepared to travel from Nakivale to Kampala. There were 27 of us, including two trainers, and the founder of Her Dreams Count, Anny Sybile.

Since most of us were in Nakivale, a coaster was arranged to take us to Kampala, with plans to meet at the Taxi Park at 8:00 AM and depart at 9:00 AM. However, due to delays, we ended up traveling by taxi from Nakivale to Mbarara, where the coaster would meet us. Henry, another participant from Mbarara, joined us at the Taxi Park in Mbarara. After a call to confirm everyone's presence, we noticed Gedeon wouldn't be joining us. We boarded four taxis and headed to Mbarara's Taxi Park, where we would meet the coaster, with a stop earlier made to pick Anny Sybile in Kabingo.

As we traveled, everyone was quiet, focused on their phones. Upon reaching Mbarara, our taxi broke down, and we walked to the Taxi Park to meet the others. When we reached the taxi park around 1 PM, we felt hungry and informed Jean Munguzo, who then called Lorna, a team member at Start Hub. After a few minutes, we were each given 10,000 shillings for lunch, and we went to buy something to eat. With our hunger satisfied, we waited for the coaster, which arrived at 1:45 PM, and departed Mbarara at 2:00 PM. During the journey, some participants dozed off, and we stopped in Masaka for another break of 10 minutes. As we approached Kampala, we encountered traffic jams, but finally reached Buziga hostels around 10 PM, thanks to Google Maps.

As we finally reached Buziga hostels around 10 PM, thanks to the help of Google Maps, we were relieved to have arrived after a long journey. None of us knew the exact location of the hostels, but Sybile used Google Maps to guide us. Upon entering the hostels, we were allocated rooms, with some participants sharing rooms. I slept in one room with my friend Milton. After we were all given rooms, we were called for dinner, which was a welcome relief after a busy day of travel. We went for dinner and then retired to our rooms to rest.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my alarm ringing at 6:30 AM. After saying my prayers, I went to bathe and prepare for the day. We all gathered for breakfast, and after eating, we packed our bags. At around 9 AM, the car was ready to take us to Speke Resort Munyonyo for the graduation ceremony.

As we arrived at Speke Resort Munyonyo, I was impressed by the beautiful surroundings. The green grass was neatly cut, and colorful flowers bloomed everywhere. The pathways were clean and easy to follow, making it simple to move around the compound. The atmosphere was cool and refreshing, with a gentle breeze that carried the sweet scent of flowers. I saw many flagpoles holding different flags, which added to the festive atmosphere. As I looked around, I noticed a beautiful swimming pool, where some people were swimming and having fun.

We passed through a metal detector, where we had to put out our phones. We registered, entered the beautifully designed hall where we met fellow participants from Kampala and mingled before the ceremony began. I sat near an Eritrean woman called Samri.

The ceremony included a Kahoot game, and despite some technical issues, it was a wonderful experience. After the Kahoot game, the Master of Ceremonies delivered opening remarks, setting the tone for the celebration. We then watched testimony videos showcasing the impact of the online gig work training on our community. These stories highlighted the positive changes and opportunities that had arisen from the program.

Following the videos, we had a panel discussion where esteemed guests, including government representatives and development partners, discussed unlocking online gig work opportunities for the refugee, youth, and host communities. This discussion provided valuable insights into the potential of online gig work to empower these groups.

The ceremony reached its highlight when participants who had excelled in the program were awarded laptops. These individuals had demonstrated exceptional dedication and skills, completing impressive projects and earning money through online gig work. It was a great honor to see participants from Nakivale receiving laptops, showcasing their excellence in the program. Although I wasn't among the recipients, I was proud to see my peers achieve this milestone.

After the awards, we gathered for a group photo with representatives from ILO, StratHub, and all the participants. This memorable moment captured the spirit of our collective achievement. Following the photo, we received our certificates, marking the official completion of the program. To celebrate our achievement, we cut a cake and enjoyed a delicious treat. It was a sweet way to cap off an exciting day.

With certificates in hand, we proceeded to enjoy a well-deserved lunch. I was surprised to see a lot of food. It was my first time seeing such a variety of dishes. I enjoyed a variety of delicious food like chapati rolls, fish, fried chicken, and many others. The food was tasty and satisfying. We also had snacks, including cakes, which were delicious. Everything was great, and I was happy to try new flavors. After lunch, we helped ourselves to some fresh fruits. Once we'd finished eating, we gathered near the bus, which was parked nearby. Not everyone was returning to Nakivale, as some participants had other plans in Kampala.

Those of us heading back to Nakivale boarded the bus, and we set off on our journey home. As we departed for Nakivale, the clock read 3:30 PM. The journey back was quiet, with most of us dozing off in the car. When we reached Kabingo, Anny Sybile got off, heading home. We continued on our way until we reached the police checkpoint, where we presented the letter we had been given, and they allowed us to pass into the camp.

We finally stopped at the taxi park in Nakivale around midnight. With our belongings in hand, we bid each other farewell, and everyone headed home. I felt very happy. The night air was cool, and I could see the stars shining brightly in the sky. The moon was full, and it lit up the night. I walked home, feeling grateful for the experience and the new friends I had made. When I reached home, my parents welcomed me warmly, and I went to sleep feeling happy. What a memorable graduation trip it had been!

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