Programme imparts technical skills among vulnerable girls

DAR ES SALAAM: A total of 98 young girls have been trained under a one-year programme aimed at imparting technical skills to enable them to engage in income-generating activities.

The training was offered by the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) Spring of Hope Centre.

The programme includes tailoring, cosmetics and beauty, cooking, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

In addition to the training, the NGO will provide the girls with working tools during a graduation ceremony to be held this Friday.

Speaking with the Daily News, DMI’s Public Relations Officer, Erick Kimashi, noted that Ubungo District Commissioner Hashim Komba will grace the 13th graduation ceremony.

He said the centre is one of the successful implementers of projects that support young girls.

To date, over 600 girls have been trained, and 351 have been employed in various fields.

The young girls are selected from various regions, including Kigoma, Tanga, Ruvuma, Dodoma, Simiyu, Rukwa, Njombe, Iringa, Singida, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, Coast and Kilimanjaro.

“More than 600 young girls have been trained, and they have formed their own associations which bring them together and help each other in increasing their income,” he said.

He also called on other development stakeholders to collaborate with the centre in providing education to young girls, especially those at risk of engaging in human trafficking.

He added that the centre has also assisted low-income women, with 57 women’s groups and 4,000 members being trained.

DMI was founded in 1984 by Rev. Fr. J.E. Arul Raj in Chennai, India.

In 2003, the centre was established in Tanzania with the aim of serving the poor and those in need.