Jiko Stove

Students in the ECC Vocational Training Centre

making jiko cooking stoves from recycled metal

The Eastleigh Community Centre's skills training and enterprise development program works to address youth unemployment through need based and market driven skills in order for them to attain sustainable livelihoods. A key part of each of the VTC programs is financial, entrepreneurship and life skills training to help youth lead responsible and dignified lives.

As part of the Iftin Women's Empowerment Program, vulnerable refugee women are given the opportunity to improve their literacy, join women's self help groups, and enrol within one of the nine VTC programs through capacity building scholarships provided by The Sharing Way and the generosity of churches and individuals.

Vocational training is extremely hands-on and practical. Students go through a program of study in six to twelve months depending on the particular course. As women go through these training programs, they are linked with outside businesses and experienced trades people to help them get a head start in either employment or self-employment.

In Prayer:

Please remember the teachers and students of the Vocational Training Centre as they seek to improve their lives and their community.

We are praying that as many as ten more Iftin students will be ready to join the July in-take of the VTC. Many of the Iftin ladies are interested in computer technology, hair dressing and sewing programs. One of the ladies is even interested in taking a welding course. But the great barrier is language, as the classes are offered in only English or Kiswahili. We pray that the Iftin students continue to progress in their language study.