About COWA CVTS
Three Decades of Empowering Young Women
Born from Compassion, Sustained by Commitment
The Crisis That Inspired Action (Early 1990s)
The early 1990s saw Uganda devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Among the most vulnerable victims were young girls orphaned by the disease left without parents, skills, or hope for education.
These girls faced bleak futures: extreme poverty, exploitation, early marriage, or worse.
A Catholic Priest from the Missionaries of Africa, working in Nsambya, witnessed this crisis firsthand. He saw young women with infinite potential but no pathway forward.
Moved by their plight and inspired by faith, he envisioned a place where these girls could find safety, skills, and dignity.
Foundation and Early Years (1992-2000)
In 1992, COWA Centenary Vocational Training School was born in Nsambya Catholic Parish.
The name "Centenary" commemorated 100 years of Catholic evangelization in Uganda, linking the school to a rich tradition of faith-based service.
Starting small with just a handful of students, CVTS focused on practical skills that could generate income: sewing, cooking, basic business.
But from the beginning, the school's approach was holistic recognizing that these traumatized young women needed more than skills; they needed healing, community, and hope.
The residential model was crucial. Many orphaned girls had no stable homes. CVTS became their home—a safe space where they could learn, heal, and grow without the daily struggles of survival.
Growth and Evolution (2000-Present)
As Uganda's context evolved, so did CVTS. While HIV/AIDS orphans remained a priority, the school expanded to serve all vulnerable young women:
- Orphans from various causes
- Girls from extreme poverty
- School dropouts seeking second chances
- Survivors of abuse or neglect
- Teen mothers needing skills
- Any young woman facing barriers to education and opportunity
Over three decades, CVTS has graduated over 600 young women.
These graduates are now chefs, business owners, tailors, mothers, community leaders living testaments to what's possible with opportunity and support.
Partnership with Nsambya Parish
Throughout this journey, Nsambya Catholic Parish has been steadfast partner.
The land on which CVTS sits is leased from Kampala Archdiocese, and the parish community has embraced the school as their own.
This church partnership provides not just land but spiritual foundation, community connection, and ongoing support.
Vision
To empower learners with knowledge, skills, values, and positive attitudes that enable them to discover their self-awareness, live up to their full potential, and enter the job market competently.
Mission
To be Uganda’s leading centre of excellence in vocational training—transforming young people into skilled, confident, and empowered professionals who drive innovation, economic growth, and community development.
Core Values
Dignity
Every young woman has inherent worth regardless of her circumstances
Compassion
We serve with genuine care and empathy for each student's unique journey.
Excellence
We pursue quality in training, character formation, and support services.
Empowerment
We don't create dependency—we build capacity for independent, successful lives.
Faith
Our work is inspired by Christian values of love, service, and human dignity.
Holistic Transformation
CVTS's approach recognizes that young women coming from vulnerable backgrounds need comprehensive support, not just vocational training.
Our Four-Pillar Model
Pillar 1: Technical Skills Training High-quality instruction in catering, tailoring, or ICT—skills that are marketable and can generate income.
Pillar 2: Life Skills Development Financial literacy, health education, communication, decision-making, and practical life competencies.
Pillar 3: Personal & Spiritual Development Character formation, values clarification, self-esteem building, and faith development.
Pillar 4: Psychosocial Support Counseling, mentorship, peer support, and trauma healing for those who've experienced loss or hardship.
The Residential Advantages
Living on campus provides:
- Safety and Security: Protected environment free from exploitation
- Stability: Consistent routine and structure
- Community: Sisterhood and peer support
- Focus: Undistracted concentration on learning
- Holistic Care: 24/7 support and guidance
- Life Skills Practice: Learning to manage household responsibilities
Integration, Not Addition
Life skills aren't "extra" at CVTS—they're woven into everything:
- Catering students learn nutrition and health
- Tailoring students practice business math
- All students participate in financial literacy workshops
- Monthly forums address health, rights, and empowerment
- Daily living teaches responsibility and discipline
Industry-Standard Training Environment
Professional Training Kitchen
- Commercial cooking equipment
- Food preparation stations
- Baking and pastry area
- Food storage facilities
- Hygiene and safety standards
- Dining service training area
Tailoring & Fashion Workshop
- Industrial sewing machines (manual and electric)
- Machine embroidery equipment
- Screen printing setup
- Cutting tables and design space
- Fabric storage
- Fitting rooms
Computer Laboratory
- Computer workstations
- Internet connectivity
- Updated software
- Printing facilities
- Comfortable learning environment
Your Journey Starts Here
Start your transformation journey now: COWA welcomes motivated young women aged 16-25, prioritizing orphans and vulnerable youth with primary education, offering a comprehensive two-year residential program that includes DIT certification, life skills, job placement assistance, and generous full or partial scholarships covering tuition, meals, and accommodation.