I never knew what I was capable of accomplishing until I gave myself an opportunity to try. My name is Lydia. I am a 36-year-old wife, mother of four children, a community leader and happily part of the Akola family.

My employment with Akola started in 2015 and I was involved in jewelry production. While I enjoyed this role, I soon wanted to push myself and try a skill that I had watched others work on from afar – working with cow horn. Horn work is a challenging, highly-technical area within the company, and I wanted to see if I could do it. While I did not get the promotion after my first attempt, I tried again and got the role after my second interview. My team members and leaders look at the products that I work on with admiration and gave me feedback to help me work with precision. It has been a humbling experience of exploring my capabilities and working on different products that I would never have been able to do had I given myself out to fear.

As I continued to attain personal and professional growth, I desired to share my learnings with the women in my community. I was never satisfied with keeping what I know to myself. In 2017, I was entrusted to be leader in my Zabefu community (Jinja, Eastern Uganda). I decided to take on this role, not only for myself, but because other women had believed in my ability to walk alongside them. I had to come face to face with my insecurities and limitations to be able to stand and defend the different causes that we are passionate about.

Being brave is a lifetime journey, I haven’t mastered it but I am not about to give up. I am brave and I am unlocking who I am every day!

-Lydia Bamwange