The VPlus Programme

The VPlus programme started in January 2021 and ended in June 2023. It was match funded by UK Aid Direct and ETC of PWD (with funds from trustees and individual donations). The programme trained two cohorts of young people with disabilities from Gulu and surrounding districts of Northern Uganda.

GPDU and VPlus: School Open Day, a group photo of some of the participants, friends and families

What was VPlus?

VPlus was the shorter name for the Enhancing the Capacity of Young Persons with Disability through Vocational and Literacy Education and Training project, delivered by Gulu Disabled Persons Union (GDPU).

Who was VPlus for?

VPlus was targeted at young persons with disabilities in Northern Uganda, most had received little or no formal education. They enrolled on a six-month vocational training course at the GDPU training centre combined with all-important ‘Plus’ elements of training in literacy, numeracy, financial literacy, and cultural and community activity which build confidence and self- esteem.

Post Training Support

The VPlus Guidance Counsellor visiting an electronic repair trainee during his apprenticeship at a Gulu workshop

The six-month training was followed by long-term support to graduates in establishing and sustaining businesses or employment. Including the new Revolving Loan Scheme to provide access to start up capital. In all, 113 young persons with disability graduated from two training cohorts and, in 2023 are working on establishing a business or finding a job to earn income.

Out in the field. VPlus Senior Project Manager: Musema Faruk, discusses a Revolving Loan Application.

VPlus: some figures
•         119 recruited to the two cohorts (53 Cohort 1; 66 Cohort 2) and 115 graduated/passed their exams (49;66). Of these, one carried onto further training and one, sadly, died.
So GDPU, supported 113 trainees. (64F, 49M; all bar one with disabilities; 89 aged 15 to 24 years and 24 aged 25 to 32; all from Gulu.)
•         In addition, the project trained 32 GDPU staff and workplace providers in safeguarding and, for GDPU staff, sign language.
•         Cumulatively, 114 trainees (100%) are showing that they have improved their confidence and self-esteem significantly, some more than others (65F, 49M; 113 disabled.)
•         94 graduates (44M, 50F) having increased their income by the end of the project,
•         107 graduates from both training programmes securing employment or establishing a business (62F, 45M; all bar one with disabilities; 64 aged 15 to 24, 23 aged 25 to 32.)
This includes a couple of trainees who were employed within their family’s farming work but not paid a wage.
The employment of 98 (58F, 40M) of these was assessed as being sustainable.

The end of match funding by UK Aid meant the end of VPlus and the end of this intensive phase of vocational training sponsored by Western agencies at GDPU.

What happened next?

VPlus Graduation Day; a family celebrates.

GDPU now carry on their own vocational skills training programme, part sponsored by local agencies and fees.
ETC of PWD now fund VPlus+, a Post Training Support programme for the 113 VPlus graduates and continue to support past members of the etc@gdpu programme as well.
In addition, an entirely new and innovative project started in June 2023. Sponsored by Viva La Visa, a UK based visa and immigration specialist for the music and entertainment industry, and beyond. The VIVA@GDPU programme will teach music making, music related activities and music production as a stand alone course, initially to 10 trainees. Music and music related activities will also be integrated into the other vocational skills courses; as an aid to learning.