By Hollie Nielsen, AWC Central Scotland, with contributions from Leslie Janoe, AWC Amsterdam
In previous articles, the Education Team has focused on the connection between Awesome Blossoms (AB) and the Education targets of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). In this article, we will focus on another program of Safe Spaces Organisation (SSO) and its connection to SDG4; AB is only one of the programs of Safe Spaces.
SDG Target 4.3 states: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
Safe Spaces created a vocational auto-mechanics training program in partnership with local garages in the Mathare slums. They started informally in 2008 and then formalized the program in 2013. The goal is to train women to become auto mechanics and escape the poverty of the slums. For their training, the women take the Kenyan national training course, which leads to a national certificate after year one and a national diploma after year two. After the training course, the women complete a three-month apprenticeship with an SSO partner garage. Safe Spaces pays the tuition, expenses and exam fees.
Since 2013, 50 women have gained national certifications and secured decent paying jobs, which is an incredible achievement for the individual women and Safe Spaces. Not only are these women earning money and contributing to economic growth, they are challenging stereotypes, as auto mechanics is traditionally a male-dominated field. Equipped with new technical skills, these women reshape societal perceptions about women’s roles in the workforce.
The auto mechanics training program also supports the goals of SDG8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Safe Spaces sensitized mid-level and small garages and the community about women’s empowerment and the role of women in the society during their community outreach. Now, many garages prefer SSO women mechanics due to their work ethic and quality of work. Safe Spaces auto mechanics graduates are gaining a reputation and are in demand. The culture within Safe Spaces has been a big contributing factor. Girls learn that they have the power and responsibility to build their own lives. The motto “I am the change” and the leadership responsibility of “Each one, teach one” has helped embed values of sharing knowledge, teamwork, dependability, initiative, hard work and accountability. That culture carries forward into their work. The success of these girls – young women, actually – paves the way for more girls to have opportunities.
In addition to the 50 graduates, the auto mechanics program currently has 15 young women in the certificate program and 10 who have advanced to the diploma program and apprenticeship. This is an excellent example of achieving SDG4’s vocational training target.
We as FAWCO members should be proud of our link to Safe Spaces and of our contributions to AB. Let’s continue our good work! FAWCO members have until the end of February to make contributions to Target 5.0, Awesome Blossoms (AB). We aim to have sufficient contributions to allow them to buy their own land for their hydroponic farms.
Photos provided by Safe Spaces
