Get Ahead Training: Empowering Entrepreneurs for Economic Independence

Economic empowerment is a vital tool for breaking the cycle of poverty, especially among disadvantaged groups. Recognizing this, HADEO partnered with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to introduce the Get Ahead Training Program (G=Gender, E=Entrepreneurship, T=Together)—a transformative initiative designed to equip illiterate and semi-literate individuals with practical business skills.

Implemented in 2017 and 2018, this program trained over 600 participants, many of whom have gone on to establish and sustain successful businesses. By focusing on gender inclusivity, entrepreneurship, and community collaboration, the Get Ahead Training Program has significantly contributed to economic growth and financial stability for many families.

Understanding the Get Ahead Training Program

The Get Ahead Training is designed specifically for illiterate and semi-literate individuals, making it accessible and practical for those who may have never had formal education. The training uses interactive and visual learning techniques, ensuring that participants can grasp key business concepts without needing to read or write extensively.

The program covers various aspects of entrepreneurship, including:

Business Planning – Teaching participants how to develop and structure their business ideas.
Basic Financial Management – Understanding pricing, savings, and reinvesting profits.
Marketing and Customer Relations – Strategies for attracting and keeping customers.
Gender and Entrepreneurship – Encouraging gender equality in business opportunities.
Overcoming Business Challenges – Problem-solving skills for business sustainability.

Through practical exercises, role-playing, and group discussions, participants learn how to start, manage, and grow small businesses that generate income and improve their livelihoods.

The Impact of the Get Ahead Training Program

The impact of the program has been profound, particularly for women and marginalized groups who previously lacked access to financial opportunities.

Key Achievements:

Over 600 people trained in business skills, empowering them with the tools needed to start their own ventures.
Increased income levels as participants launched small businesses in various sectors, including retail, farming, and tailoring.
Improved gender equality by supporting women entrepreneurs and encouraging men to champion gender-inclusive business practices.
Strengthened local economies as more small businesses contributed to community development.

For many participants, starting a business was a life-changing opportunity. Women who once depended on their spouses or struggled to make ends meet can now provide for their families, send their children to school, and invest in their future.

Success Stories: Transforming Lives Through Business

Meet Sarah – Before joining the Get Ahead Training, Sarah struggled to earn a living and relied on casual labor. Through the program, she learned how to start a small poultry business, which has since grown into a sustainable source of income. She now supplies eggs and chickens to local markets and has even employed two people from her village.

Meet John – A father of three, John always wanted to start a business but lacked the knowledge and confidence. After attending the training, he set up a small retail shop, selling household essentials in his community. Today, John’s shop is thriving, allowing him to support his family and plan for expansion.

Meet Grace – As a single mother, Grace faced significant financial struggles. The Get Ahead Training equipped her with the skills to start a tailoring business. With a small loan, she bought a sewing machine and now earns a stable income making and selling clothes in her town.

These stories are just a few examples of how Get Ahead Training has transformed lives, giving individuals the skills and confidence to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.

Why This Training Matters

Entrepreneurship is one of the most effective pathways out of poverty. By equipping individuals with practical skills, the Get Ahead Training Program:

Reduces unemployment by helping people create their own jobs.
Empowers women to become financially independent and contribute to household income.
Strengthens families and communities by improving economic stability.
Encourages self-sufficiency, decreasing reliance on external aid.

When people have the skills and confidence to start and run their own businesses, they gain the power to shape their future.

The Future of Get Ahead Training

Given the success of the 2017/2018 training, HADEO is working to expand the program to reach more individuals across Uganda. Our goal is to train thousands more entrepreneurs in the coming years, ensuring that more people—especially women—can access the tools they need to succeed.

We are also exploring partnerships to integrate micro-financing opportunities, so that trained participants can access small loans to launch and grow their businesses.

How You Can Support the Program

Sponsor a Trainee – Help us provide training opportunities for more people.
Volunteer as a Mentor – Share your knowledge and experience with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Partner with Us – Join hands with HADEO to expand economic empowerment initiatives.
Donate – Your contribution ensures that more individuals get access to life-changing business skills.

Together, we can equip more people with the skills to build a better future through entrepreneurship.

ce faced significant financial struggles. The Get Ahead Training equipped her with the skills to start a tailoring business. With a small loan, she bought a sewing machine and now earns a stable income making and selling clothes in her town.

These stories are just a few examples of how Get Ahead Training has transformed lives, giving individuals the skills and confidence to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.