Economic Empowerment
Source: All Africa
Twenty-nine teen mothers graduated on Saturday from HANCi's vocational training programme at a ceremony in Bo.
The project, which is funded by the UK-based charity Hope & Homes for Children, works with some of the most vulnerable teen mothers in and around the district.
Often facing stigmatisation both at home and within the community, HANCi's programme combines vocational training with counselling for the girls and their families, whilst a crèche at the NGO's training facility allows the young mothers to fully concentrate on their educational development.
"The issue of teen mothers is of rising concern in Sierra Leone," says Kelfa Kargbo, HANCi's Executive Director. "With the help of funding bodies like Hope & Homes and with further support from governmental institutions we hope that we can continue to offer viable opportunities for more young mothers year on year.
"We also hope that this year's graduates will receive the support that they require from their families and members of the wider community so that they can grow as valuable contributors to society."
Having now completed two years of tutoring in tailoring, catering, hairdressing or gara tie-dying this year's mothers - some as young as 15 years-old - have now received a certificate in vocational studies and are officially qualified to enter their chosen profession. In fact, 8 of the girls have already secured full-time employment following work placements organised by HANCi as part of the project.
Family members, community leaders and representatives of a number of local government offices and organisations - including the Ministry of Social Welfare, Bo City Council and Soroptomist International - attended the ceremony. All of the graduates received start-up kits, including kitchen equipment for caterers and sewing machines for tailors, to fully prepare them for employment.
One of the teen mothers, 17 year-old Rachel Brewah delivered a farewell speech on behalf of the graduates. "I feel very happy to be graduating today after two years of hard work," said Brewah after the ceremony. "Tomorrow I'll start a full-time job at a tailoring shop in Bo. Thanks to HANCi I hope that I can now earn enough money to look after myself and my daughter."
"HANCi is an honest, trustworthy and reliable partner to the Sierra Leone government," said Alfred Lewis, a representative from the office of the Resident Minister. "I thank them for extending humanitarian services to vulnerable families in Bo."
Kelfa Kargbo added: "I want to congratulate all of this year's graduates; they have all overcome incredible adversity to get where they are today and I hope that we have helped to set them on a secure path for the future."