Gender Equality South Africa Project #56322

Support Our African Women Skills Training Centre

by Action Change (Formerly GVI Trust)

Project Report | Nov 14, 2024
A Very Exciting Future

By Dorcas | Sewing Teacher

Hello Supporters,

I am so excited for today's update, both our Women Empowerment Program in South Africa and Ghana have been going strength to strength. We have had a great year to date. Early in year we had a group of consultant students come to our program and work directly with the community to develop our program, collecting feedback we had two key focuses, shorter and compact training programs (as women are not paid to train and need to get earning soon as possible) and then the need for support to start earning funds after the training.

With this in mind our 3 months 2 days a week course moved to 6 weeks 5 days a week and we have seen less drop out rates and a stronger pass rate which is amazing plus we can now train more women! As well as this we reached out to a local primary school and won the contract to be the only supplier for their school uniform which means women when they graduate can join the team to make uniforms and sell for a profit that helps them and their family, we have been working hard to get products the women learn to make into tourist shops, local shops and we are working to have market stalls and pop up shops over the festive season across Africa.

As well as this we have just launched our online global shop and so now you can also support us and buy yourself an item hand made by one of our women https://actionchange.etsy.com

We are also very excited to be launching "bubbles and sewing parties" for the women to help generate an income. All funds from these sales are going directly to the women for now but our aim is to grow and part of the profits from these initiatives will fund the training program for other locals but until then we are using your amazingly wonderful donations to fund these.

We also have a great opportunity to expand our program to add 10 other skills programs and reach over 10,000 people but we need to raise $190,000 to purchase the school and launch so watch this space for a new and exciting program soon, if you know of any corporations that might like to sponsor a business hub in Africa then please do share our details for them to get in touch with corporate@actionchange.org

Our program really is going from success to success and this is because of the support we get from you and other amazing donors like you so from us all, thank you!

Thanks,

Dorcas and Ty

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Jul 16, 2024
Bridging the Skills Gap

By Lloyd | Project Volunteer

Women in Africa face significant challenges when it comes to education and economic empowerment. Many drop out of school early due to cultural expectations or lack of access to necessities. This report sheds light on the issue and presents a project aimed at empowering women through skill development.

The Problem

Early Dropout Rates: Women in Africa often leave formal education prematurely. The two main reasons are:

Domestic Responsibilities: Many women leave school to accept household responsibilities, such as running the home and caring for family members.

Sanitary Challenges: Lack of access to affordable and hygienic sanitary wear forces girls to miss school during menstruation, leading to educational gaps.

Unskilled Workforce: The alarming number of unskilled women across Africa hinders economic progress. Without proper skills, women struggle to find employment or create sustainable livelihoods.

The Solution: Empowering Women Through Skill Training

The proposed project aims to address these challenges by providing free skill training to women.

Training Programs: Women can enrol in various training programs, including vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. These programs equip women with practical skills needed for local employment or self-employment.

Local Employment Opportunities: With improved skills, women can secure jobs in their communities. Whether it is tailoring, handicrafts, or hospitality, local businesses benefit from a skilled workforce. Employers can hire trained women, contributing to economic growth.

Micro-Business Setup: Women can also use their skills to set up micro-businesses. For example: Crafts and Souvenirs: Creating unique African products (such as bags, jewellery, or clothing) to sell to tourists. Catering Services: Providing local cuisine for events or tourists. Tour Guiding: Sharing cultural insights with visitors. Micro-businesses generate income and empower women to be self-reliant.

Promoting Africa’s Rich Culture: The project celebrates Africa’s heritage by encouraging women to create products that reflect their culture. An “Africa bag” could be a beautiful handwoven tote, adorned with vibrant patterns and colours—a symbol of pride and craftsmanship.

Empowering women in Africa is not just about education; it is about giving them the tools to thrive. By investing in skill development, we can bridge the gap and create a brighter future for women across the continent. Who would not love an Africa bag that represents resilience, creativity, and empowerment?

Remember, every stitch in that bag tells a story—a story of determination, hope, and progress.

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Mar 5, 2024
We Selling Uniforms

By Dorus | Sewing Teacher

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