Uganda – At just 17, Alicia’s world was turned upside down. Born in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she once enjoyed the warmth of a close-knit family and the comfort of home. But everything changed when violent conflict erupted.

As rebels swept through the region, fear and chaos consumed the community. Schools shut down, streets emptied, and families disappeared. Alicia lost her father and two siblings to the violence, and her only focus became survival.

With help from a rescue team, Alicia, her sister, and her mother escaped to Uganda, arriving as refugees with nothing but grief and uncertainty. Settling in one of Kampala’s most overlooked slums, they faced a daily struggle to survive.

Through a small local church, Alicia heard about our Elevate program—a training initiative offering digital skills, mentorship, and community for young people with nowhere else to turn. She enrolled in the Graphics and Computer Studies course, and for the first time in years, she began to dream again.

Though the transition was difficult, Alicia threw herself into her studies. She not only developed her technical skills but also grew in confidence and leadership. Her resilience and determination quickly stood out, and soon other students began looking to her as a role model.

She discovered that her voice carried influence, and that she could inspire others who were walking through the same struggles she had faced.

By age 20, Alicia was invited to become the Lead Hub Manager at era92 Elevate’s new training center in Katanga. She accepted with humility and a passion to give back.

“Many of my friends never had the chance to dream—they died before they could. I now dream of taking a program like this back to Congo.”

Today, Alicia is more than a survivor—she’s a mentor, a leader, and a source of hope for dozens of young people. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest places, transformation is possible when opportunity meets determination.

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