Job-ready skills for vulnerable teens.
Sponsored children in our Mercy Care site come from families with few resources or livelihood opportunities. As a result, each year there are typically more than ten students who graduate high school but cannot go on to higher education because their families cannot afford tuition. In these cases, the young women often become young mothers and the young men take on low-wage jobs, which continues the cycle of poverty.
In response, with Chalice’s support, our Mercy Care site has officially registered Care Catholic Vocational Training College to offer job-ready skills courses to ten high school graduates (six sponsored and four non-sponsored) who aren’t able to pursue university or college enrollment.
The college will hire government-accredited instructors to offer two, one-year training courses in hair dressing/ beauty therapy, and in dressmaking. Five students will choose one of the two courses, running concurrently. Staff will select the students based on their level of need, considering factors such as whether the student is from a family headed by a single parent, grandparent, or sibling.
The five students in the hair and beauty course will learn topics like haircutting techniques, colouring, styling, braiding/weaving, men’s grooming, bridal hair, facial skincare, cosmetics, manicure/pedicure, and massage. In dressmaking, they’ll learn the process of making garments from choosing fabrics to finishing, including pattern making, cutting and sewing techniques, and embroidery. Both streams will also receive helpful instructions on how to make their future salon/sewing business a success with workshops on professional customer communication, safety, estimate-making, and budgeting.
A Sister from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation who run the Mercy Care site will train them on leadership, small business management, conflict management, and etiquette. After completion, students will get government certification that will open opportunities for employment or starting their own business.
The total budget to run the first one-year program is $20,848.09 CAD. This includes the teaching supplies such as scissors, blow dryers, beauty/spa supplies, and five sewing machines. This also includes the salaries of two accredited facilitators, as well as building costs such as rent and utilities.
Your support can change the lives of ten high school grads who dream of a brighter future. Together, we can help them gain job-ready skills and set them on the path to financial independence.
Program Location: Mercy Care, Kenya
Program Code: HDP-KMK0425
Budget in Canadian Funds: $20,848.09 CAD
DONATEPlease note that any donations that exceed the request will be used to fund other community projects that may arise.