By Stephen Bynon & Katherine de Kretser | Project Managers
Job training for at-risk young women in Sri Lanka (11891).
Report Jan – March 2013
Another 11 young women completed the Hair and Beauty Training in March 13. This course is a 4 month specialist vocational programme that provides the trainees a wide range of knowledge and skills on hair and beauty treatments and techniques. Trainees develop knowledge and skills in the professional approach to shampoo, cut, dress and colour hair. As well as to apply makeup and provide manicure and pedicure. Trainees also learn how to comply with health and safety skills within the saloon. In addition customer care skills are taught and demonstrated within a working environment, plus y team building skills are developed.
The young women come from challenging backgrounds many have not worked previously and have few qualifications. This programme not only provides vocational skills but also increases they confidence and sense of self-worth.
Stephen Bynon from Asha Trust visited the trainees in February, he took time to speak to the trainees and learn more about how the course is making a difference to them. Stephen says ‘’ What struck me most was the hunger to learn, to grab this opportunity and soak in as much knowledge and information as possible. I was also impressed by the leaders of the Salon; they clearly have an added passion to work with these young women, to give them the skills to build ladders out of poverty. ‘’
The 11 young women who completed the course had a celebration in the Asha centre where the trainees were given their certificates. As usual, this was a lovely occasion and again it was quite clear what a difference this training made to those who participated. Many at the beginning of the course were planning to work from home once they had completed the course but over half now have decided that they want to work in salons so Cheryl and Maleena, the course leaders are busy supporting them with finding jobs! To date 5 have had interviews and have been accepted and one has decided to start a small enterprise from home.
In the next three months we will continue to research and scope out a training programme to provide ‘’enterprise skills’’. We envisage that the programme would include mentoring and an opportunity to pitch for a micro –loan to be used as seed money.
If you have ideas and models to share we would love to hear from you. info@ashtrust.co.uk
And finally.
A special thanks to those that have supported this programme … you really are making a difference!
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
