Lakot Rosemary recently became the second alumnus of St. Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) to receive the Michael H. Boyce Award from the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative. This award recognizes emerging entrepreneurs from adverse circumstances who embody the values that defined Michael Boyce’s extraordinary life, including: honor, courage, commitment, faithfulness, overcoming, discipline and leadership.
A celebration in March 2025 brought together the St. Bakhita family to commemorate Rosemary’s success and acknowledge those who contributed to her journey. The event, which included remarks from Head of School Victoria Nyanjura, Parish Priest Fr. Ramon Vargas, SBVTC instructors, Kalongo community leaders, Notre Dame Professor Kelly Rubey, Rosemary’s father and Rosemary herself, demonstrated the power of education to unite and uplift communities.
Rosemary’s Inspiring Journey: Empowering Her Community Through Tailoring and Entrepreneurship
Rosemary, 23, launched her tailoring workshop, The Cornerstone, in December 2023 after completing an entrepreneurial skills training course at St. Bakhita Vocational Training Centre. This program, developed in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame’s Powerful Means Initiative, equipped Rosemary with the tools to become a beacon of hope for young women in her rural community.
Emerging from financial struggles following the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosemary was a beneficiary of the Work Study program facilitated by Notre Dame’s partnership with the Archdiocese of Gulu. Today, she uses her skills and experience to train young girls in her community who cannot afford formal education. In exchange for a nominal fee—or by contributing through garden work—these girls receive hands-on tailoring training.
Located in Kuywee Sub County, Agago District – a rural area with limited resources – The Cornerstone has become a hub of opportunity. Rosemary not only offers tailoring services but also makes affordable fabric accessible by purchasing materials in bulk from nearby towns. This initiative allows her clients to buy fabric at a fair price, which she then tailors for them at a low cost. Her services have become so sought-after that people queue for their turn, and her business has become a lifeline for many.
Rosemary reinvests the profits from her tailoring business into gardening, employing casual laborers and creating additional income streams for herself and her workers. This diversification has accelerated the growth of her enterprise while positively impacting her community. Many of her clients, inspired by Rosemary’s example, now earn to send their children to school, improve their farming practices, and meet basic household needs.
Rosemary's success has sparked a shift in perceptions within her community. Parents who previously undervalued girls’ education are now seeking opportunities to educate their daughters, inspired by her achievements. By empowering others and serving as a role model, Rosemary has not only transformed her life but also sown seeds of hope, resilience, and opportunity for her community.
Her story is a testament to the power of education, innovation, and determination to create lasting change.