Orica funding facilitates vocational training to 100 out of school girls

MWANZA: MORE than 100 girls who are out of school and living in vulnerable situations in Mwanza region are expected to benefit from vocational and life skills training that will enable them to become economically independent and build a better future for their lives.

The training is being managed by the Child In Action NGO with funding from Orica Corporation through its Orica Impact Fund unit, which facilitates the implementation of various development projects for the community.

Speaking today to participants in the training, Orica Tanzania General Manager, Asha Mambo said that their company’s mission has decided to leave a positive mark on society by investing in projects that touch the lives of citizens, especially groups in vulnerable environments.

She said the first phase of the project has begun by reaching 25 girls, who are part of the 100 girls expected to benefit from the program through various vocational training including tailoring, product manufacturing as well as life skills and entrepreneurship.

She said that empowering girls is an important way to bring about sustainable development for the entire society, urging them to use the opportunity to learn hard and use it to change their lives as well as uplift others.

“When you educate a girl, you have educated the entire society. In life, you can make mistakes, but do not give up or look back. If you learn to sew, make cakes or any other skill, you will uplift yourself and you will also educate the society around you,” she said.

For his part, Orica Africa Business Manager, Mr Jeffrey Akurang, said the project was designed to provide girls with practical skills that will enable them to be self-employed and independent after graduation.

He added that in addition to building their professional capacity, the project has also focused on helping them find markets for their products and services to ensure that the skills they gain bring economic benefits.

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“We want to see these girls become successful entrepreneurs. That is why in addition to vocational training, the issue of marketing has been given priority so that they can achieve their goals of independence,” he said.

The Director of Child In Action, Mr Felix Manyongote, urged the beneficiaries of the training to take care of the equipment they are given, especially the mattresses, so that it will continue to serve them and provide opportunities for other girls who will benefit from the program in the future.

He said the success of the project will depend on discipline, responsibility and the proper use of the equipment provided for learning and starting productive activities.

He said the project is part of efforts to uplift girls who are outside the education system by providing them with skills that enable them to fully participate in economic activities and contribute to community development.

He said that apart from the Mwanza region, the program is expected to continue to be implemented in other areas to reach more needy groups and enable them to take advantage of various development opportunities provided by development partners.