By Robyn Cooper | Project Development and Communications Officer
It’s been a long journey but we’re nearly halfway ready to start our Skills Training Project in Meru, Kenya.
As you may know, our Empowering Women project seeks to equip 105 women who have been forced into commercial sex work to provide for themselves and they families. This training will be delivered in three one-year courses, and will provide the women with beauty and hairdressing skills, so that they can break away from commercial sex work, develop a good and sustainable income, and give them the opportunity to provide and care for their families while running their business at home. Their new skills will also help to earn them greater respect in the community, improved social mobility, and greater self-esteem.
Right now, we’re looking to secure the funds for year one of training. This will help us to run the course for one year and gather the essential equipment needed to continue into years two and three. With your help, we currently have £6,100 of the necessary funds to run the first year of courses, but we still need to find £10,873.
In 2016, we ran the course for one year for 30 women. These graduates all now work in the beauty industry, most have started their own business, and none have returned to sex work. The local women saw the amazing changes that occurred in the graduate’s lives and have asked for the course to be renewed. They are excited for the opportunity to gain beauty skills and change their lives for the better.
“The graduation event brought family and friends together. It totally changed the minds of those who never believed we were going to school. I am so proud I have done this training. It has turned around my life and that of my family. Now they want other people to do the same programme.” Jacinta, Graduate, 2016
Thank you so much for supporting our cause! We hope that with your help and generosity, we’ll be able to begin the course in September 2019 and give the local women of Meru a helping hand in securing happier, healthier and more meaningful lives for themselves and their families.
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