Train 300 Youth in Welding and Sewing in Zimbabwe

Summary

Training in welding, sewing and knitting will be provided for one year to 330 disadvantaged youth. This education is their last hope of securing a way to lift themselves out of poverty.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Zimbabwe is experiencing a 50% unemployment rate [up to 70% in the rural areas] due to the political and economic chaos rampaging the country. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for many poor youth to be able to finish their education or acquire the technical skills necessary to secure employment. This project will ensure that over 300 disadvantaged youth in rural Zimbabwe will receive training in either welding, sewing or knitting.

How will this project solve this problem?

With a grant from IDEX, YAZ will build three new classrooms in late 2004 for their technical training program. Funds raised through GlobalGiving will be used to hire three new teachers for one year to teach welding, sewing and knitting to 330 youth.

Potential Long Term Impact

330 youth will have the skills necessary to secure employment. They will also receive small business and leadership training. A small percentage will also be granted a small loan at the end of the program to start their own home-based businesses.

Project Message

A 2001 survey found that 80% of YAZ’s previously trained youth were either formally employed or self-employed. In a country where only 50% are employed, we know our programs are changing lives!
- Anuradha Srikantan, IDEX Africa Program Director

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources