ESTA School of Technology and Agricultural Innovation

Overview & Mission Institutional Profile

ESTA School of Technology and Agricultural Innovation is a premier vocational and skills development institution located in Zone 1, Iyete Village, Romogi Subcounty, Yumbe District, within the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement (5Km from Barakala Trading Centre).

The school operates under Here is Life (HIL), a Christian faith-based organization dedicated to transforming lives through holistic development, education, and community empowerment. Established in 2023 in response to the growing social and economic challenges affecting both refugee and host communities in Yumbe District, ESTA School restores hope and creates practical opportunities for vulnerable youth, women, and adults left behind by the formal education system.

Vision & Mission

Vision: To become a leading center of excellence in vocational skills development, agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, and community transformation.

Mission: To equip refugee and host community youth with practical skills, innovative technologies, entrepreneurship competencies, and positive Christian values that enable them to achieve sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to society.

“Transforming the Whole Person for a Life of Purpose and Impact.” — ESTA School Motto

Comprehensive Competency-Based Training Disciplines

ESTA School emphasizes practical hands-on learning, enabling trainees to acquire employable and income-generating skills across 15+ high-demand disciplines:

Agricultural Innovation: Horticulture Farming, Aquaculture (Fish Farming), Bee Keeping.
Technical & Construction Trades: Brick Laying & Concrete Practice, Carpentry & Joinery, Welding & Metal Fabrication, Building Construction.
Applied Technology: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mobile Phone Repair & Maintenance, Electrical & Electronics.
Creative & Commercial Services: Tailoring & Garment Cutting, Hairdressing & Cosmetology, Barbering, Catering & Hospitality Management.
Business Incubation: Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy & Small Business Management.

Institutional Governance & Accreditation

ESTA School operates under the robust legal, financial, and administrative framework of Here is Life (HIL), utilizing official bank accounts, Tax Identification Number (TIN), NSSF registration, and statutory governance systems. The school was officially accredited by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) in November 2023 and operates under the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) under the Umbrella of the TVET Council.

Hands-on Vocational & Technical Disciplines

Competency-based curriculum accredited under national TVET standards:

✂️

Tailoring & Garment Cutting

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Horticulture Farming

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Aquaculture (Fish Farming)

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Brick Laying & Concrete Practice

💇‍♀️

Hairdressing & Cosmetology

💻

Information Technology (ICT)

⚡

Welding & Metal Fabrication

🪚

Carpentry & Joinery

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Motor Mechanics

🍲

Catering & Hospitality

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Bee Keeping & Apiary

💈

Professional Barbering

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Building Construction

📱

Phone Repair & Maintenance

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Entrepreneurship & Management

🎯 Target Beneficiaries & Community Reach:

Refugee & Host Community Youth, School Dropouts, Teenage Mothers, Women & Girls, and Persons with Disabilities

Major Achievements & Assessment Milestones 2024 – 2026 Impact

National Accreditation & Assessment Hub

Accredited by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) in November 2023 and operating under the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) under the national TVET Council framework. ESTA School serves as an official Assessment Center for West Nile.

Training & Assessment Management Milestone (2024 – 2026)

Beyond training youth directly at the school, ESTA School is a recognized regional assessment coordination center for vocational artisans and community training providers across Yumbe and West Nile:

Cohort One (August – October 2024): Under the RETI initiative supported by DanChurchAid (DCA), directly trained 54 youths and assessed approximately 2,000 artisan trainees. Total: 2,054 Trainees Managed.

Cohort Two (March – June 2025): Directly trained 48 youths and coordinated assessments for ~1,000 artisan trainees. Total: 1,048 Trainees Managed.

Cohort Three (September – November 2025): Directly trained 30 youths and coordinated assessments for ~825 external artisan trainees. Total: 855 Trainees Managed.

Cohort Four (March – June 2026): Directly enrolled and trained 28 youths and assessed 656 artisan trainees. Total: 684 Trainees Managed.

Cumulative Milestone: From 2024 to June 2026, ESTA School has directly trained 160 institutional youths and coordinated assessment for 4,481 partner artisan trainees — achieving an overall impact of 4,641 trainees managed from enrollment through national certification.

Accredited Cohort Records ← Scroll table horizontally →

Training Cycle / Cohort	Period	Direct Youths	Artisan Trainees Assessed	Total Managed
Cohort One (RETI / DanChurchAid)	Aug – Oct 2024	54 youths	~2,000 trainees	2,054 trainees
Cohort Two (Vocational Skills)	Mar – Jun 2025	48 youths	~1,000 trainees	1,048 trainees
Cohort Three (Vocational Trades)	Sep – Nov 2025	30 youths	~825 trainees	855 trainees
Cohort Four (Vocational & Agri)	Mar – Jun 2026	28 youths	656 trainees	684 trainees
Cumulative Impact Total		160 Youths	4,481 Trainees	4,641 Trainees Managed

* All trainees managed through complete lifecycle: registration, assessment coordination, national DIT/UVTAB examination, and certificate issuance.

Success Story

🌟 Community Transformation Spotlight

Bridging Communities: Social Cohesion & Economic Empowerment in Bidibidi

One of the most remarkable successes of ESTA School has been its role in promoting social cohesion and economic empowerment among refugee and host communities through vocational skills development.

Through the Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative (RETI) supported by DanChurchAid (DCA), young men and women from both refugee and host communities were enrolled in vocational training programs including tailoring, ICT, hairdressing, building and concrete practice, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Many of these young people had previously lost hope after dropping out of school due to poverty, displacement, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and lack of educational opportunities. Some had spent years without employment or any source of income.

“At ESTA School, refugee and host community youth studied together, worked together, shared ideas, and built friendships. The training environment broke down social barriers and promoted mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and lasting collaboration.”

Following the completion of training, many graduates began applying their acquired skills within their communities. Several established small tailoring businesses, others joined construction teams, while some engaged in commercial agricultural production and ICT-related services. Young women who had previously depended on family support gained confidence and started generating steady income to support themselves and their children.

The school has witnessed numerous graduates become role models within their communities, demonstrating that skills development can transform vulnerable youth into productive and self-reliant citizens. This transformation has not only improved individual livelihoods but has also strengthened relationships between refugee and host communities, contributing to peace, social cohesion, and local economic development.

Beneficiary Voices

“At ESTA School, refugee and host community youth study, work, and build friendships side-by-side. The skills we gained in tailoring, modern agriculture, ICT, and building have restored our dignity, allowing us to establish independent enterprises and support our households in peace.”

RETI Program Trainees & Community Artisans Refugee & Host Community Youth (Bidibidi Settlement & Yumbe)