My motivation to join the 10X Program was strengthened by the inspiring stories of Refactory alumni

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A personal reflection on digital learning, growth, confidence, and opportunity

By [Nyangoma Julia]

In today’s world, digital skills are no longer optional. They have become an important part of education, employment, business, communication, and personal growth. For many young people, however, entering the digital space can feel difficult, especially when they lack confidence, exposure, mentorship, and access to practical training. My journey through the 10X Program and Refactory Academy has shown me that with the right support, anyone can learn, grow, and take meaningful steps toward a better future.

Before joining the program, I admired technology from a distance. I knew it was powerful, and I understood that it could open doors to employment, freelancing, entrepreneurship, and professional growth. However, I did not feel fully prepared to participate in the digital economy. Simple tasks such as file management, using online tools, understanding basic programming concepts, and working with professional digital platforms were still a challenge for me.

More than anything, I struggled with confidence. I had the interest and willingness to learn, but I lacked clear direction and practical exposure. At times, technology felt like something meant only for people with experience. This made it easy to doubt myself and question whether I could truly belong in the digital space.

My motivation to join the 10X Program and Refactory Academy was strengthened by the inspiring stories of Refactory alumni. Their experiences showed me that practical training, mentorship, peer learning, and real-world projects can transform not only a person’s skills but also their confidence and mindset. I wanted a learning experience that would go beyond theory and help me gain skills I could apply in real life.

The program gave me exactly that. It introduced me to a practical, encouraging, and supportive learning environment where I could grow step by step. I gained important technical and digital skills, including internet use, digital marketing, search engine use, WordPress, and Microsoft Office tools such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Slides. These skills have helped me become more confident in using technology for work, communication, and problem-solving.

Beyond technical knowledge, the program also helped me develop essential soft and professional skills. I improved my creativity, effective communication, critical thinking, teamwork, empathy, time management, problem-solving, presentation skills, and professionalism. These skills have shaped how I work with others, how I express my ideas, and how I present myself in professional spaces.

I am especially grateful to our tutors, Mr. Mukalele, Mr. Mathew, and Mr. Andrew, for creating a learning environment that encouraged peer-to-peer study and active participation. Through this approach, I became more confident engaging with my colleagues, sharing ideas, asking questions, and learning from others. Peer-to-peer learning helped me strengthen my critical thinking by allowing us to discuss challenges together, compare ideas, and support one another in finding solutions. It also gave me the opportunity to receive immediate feedback, which helped me improve faster and believe more in my abilities.

Mentorship played a very important role in my journey. Learning from peers reminded me that I was not alone and that everyone grows at their own pace. The mentors and industry experts helped connect what we were learning in class to what happens in the workplace. Their guidance made the training feel real, relevant, and possible.

One of the proudest moments of my journey was designing a business website, Mbale Digital Hub, and creating a personal profile website. These projects gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learned in a practical way. Seeing my ideas turn into real websites made me feel proud, confident, and motivated to continue growing in the digital space.

Another memorable moment was working on a team project and presenting our ideas. At first, I was nervous and unsure whether my contribution would be strong enough. But as we worked together, I realized that my voice mattered. Standing before others and explaining our work gave me a new level of confidence. It taught me that growth comes when we continue showing up, even when we feel afraid.

Today, I work as a Branch Manager at Bayport Financial Services, and the skills I gained from the program have helped me work more efficiently. My improved knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel has strengthened my ability to prepare documents, organize information, make presentations, and handle tasks with greater confidence and professionalism.

The program has also helped me understand what employers, clients, and partners expect from a young professional. I now appreciate the importance of communication, reliability, discipline, teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous learning. I am more confident in applying for opportunities because I can clearly explain the skills I have gained and the value I can contribute.

I have also started applying my skills beyond the workplace. I can now support individuals, small businesses, and community groups with digital tasks such as organizing information, creating simple digital content, improving online communication, using Microsoft Office tools, and helping others understand basic technology tools. These are services I would not have confidently offered before the program.

Perhaps the greatest impact of the training is the change it has brought in how I see myself. I no longer view technology as something reserved only for experts. I now understand that technology is also for people who are willing to learn, practise, ask questions, and keep improving. The program helped me overcome fear and showed me that confidence is not something we wait for; it is something we build through action.

My journey has also encouraged people around me. My family and peers have seen my confidence grow, and some of them now understand the value of digital skills more clearly. Being part of a program that supports young women has reminded me that women belong in technology and can succeed in digital careers. With the right training and support, young women can become confident contributors to the digital economy.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue building on the skills I have gained. I want to take on more real projects, improve my technical abilities, and use digital tools to create value in my workplace and community. Over the next 1 to 3 years, my vision is to become a skilled, confident, and dependable professional in the digital space. I also hope to support other young women who may be starting from the same place I started.

To future participants, my message is simple: do not be afraid to start. You may begin the journey feeling unsure, but that is part of growth. Ask questions, participate fully, work with others, and give yourself permission to learn. The more you engage, the more you discover what you are capable of becoming.

I sincerely appreciate Refactory Academy, Outbox Uganda, and Mastercard Foundation for giving me the opportunity to participate in this life-changing training program. Your investment in young people is building skills, confidence, and hope. It is not only changing individual lives but also empowering families, workplaces, and communities.

Through this program, I have learned that digital skills can open doors, but confidence, mentorship, and opportunity are what help people walk through those doors. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I will continue using the knowledge and skills I gained to grow professionally, support others, and create positive impact in my community.

Written by

Refactory Academy

Refactory is a software-skilling academy addressing the need to produce skilled software developers in Uganda today. We are training the next generation of software developer talent and experts responsive to the needs of the ecosystem.

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