Luhavu.

I want to employ a lot of people and help make a dent in the unemployment rate.

Before coming a refugee, I worked as a taxi driver. I had my own rental car. Life was ok.

But when war started, we fled to Uganda.

My name is Luhavu. I am 51 years old and work in gas and electric welding. I have three daughters and live in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.

My hometown is Beni, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I became a refugee because I was the driver of a man who came to report on the war. He would interview the government but also the rebels. That caused me a lot of trouble.

When the war started, we fled to Uganda.

I’ve been in Nakivale for almost 20 years. My wife and I got divorced, and since then, I have lived alone. I support my children as much as I can.

I deal with tough living conditions in Nakivale.

Sometimes there is no electricity, which can be very stressful. We also have to get from afar. We can send for gas from Mbarara, it can get delayed, and our customers just have to sit and wait. Materials for gas welding also aren’t available here.

My plan is, if I work hard, to buy a generator. So even if the power goes off, I can turn it on and not have issues with my customers.

When challenges come up, I deal with them. I can’t always cry. I know that if I work, I’ll get something that can help me.

Luhavu welds some metal at his metalworking shop

I only see my children once a month at school. When I see them, I bring my phone, take a picture, and see how big they’re getting. When I go home, I look at that picture and it gives me motivation to work.

That picture is what gives me hope.

Opportunity taught me how to use money and make it profitable for me and benefit society. They also taught me how to save money.

In the past I would would waste money. I would get money and not plan for it. But Opportunity showed me it is necessary to save. It will help you in the future.

I know that our materials can break down or malfunction, so I must save in case a piece of equipment breaks down and I need to buy a new one.

I am also part of a savings group. We meet twice a month, save together and help each other. If I have an emergency, I can ask for a loan, and it can be very helpful.

I like to mentor young people so that the neighbourhood youth don’t wander off. When we are here, we can share our knowledge.

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Since the training, I have also extended my business. We started teaching a 3-month programme for other people for free.

I just wanted to help. You see a lot of people suffer here.

Young men often seek solace in alcohol, and it makes us sad. Many people who live here are with their mothers and children and don’t have any support. It’s about mentoring and training these youths, helping them to get some knowledge and money to help their families. It’s simply to help, to reduce the burden they carry.

My dream is to have a big workshop and sell lots of materials made here. I can research what the needs of the community are, like chairs and tables, and then we can make them so that they can get what they need here, locally.

I am also planning to expand my business into a dairy. I’ve already bought two fridges and a few other pieces of equipment. The remaining challenge is the house. When that’s solved, we’ll start our dairy business selling milk, coffee, bread and tea.

I want to employ a lot of people and help make a dent in the unemployment rate, as well as help mentor and train youth.

My hopes for my children are to keep them safe, even if they are far away. I will keep paying for their school, buying them food and medicine.

I know if they go to school, their future will be bright.

I feel good. I’m more organised now. I saw my life change.

 

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