Report on the Young mothers - Swiss Aids Care International

Report on the Young mothers’
Vocational Skills Training Programme
(Update)
Harare, August 2014
Introduction
Early in July we received a donation for $5000 which we decided to use for funding
livelihood programs/small businesses for our adolescent mothers. Sr. Rita, our
champion for the young mothers group, selected 10 mothers to undergo a pilot
Vocational Skills Training Programme run along the lines of that which was run by
Hands of Hope for Africaid Zvandiri adolescents. The aim was to offer these young
mothers an opportunity to acquire a life skill for themselves. Life skills are as much a
key area in managing HIV in adolescents as issues of disclosure, adherence, sexual
and reproductive health, stigma and emotional health are.
The success of such a program is therefore critical within the holistic HIV management
for all our adolescent patients, who often depend on Newlands Clinic for minor needs
like bus fares. This is even more critical for adolescents who have the extra
responsibility of raising their own children.
In this report we will look at the selection of the 10 ladies, theoretical training and
practical training, graduation, the funds, a brief evaluation of the project so far and a
focus into the future.
Selection of Participants and Choice of Business Type
Hands of Hope, the trainers, have experience with training disadvantaged
communities. They were able to bring theoretical concepts down to the level of our
girls, some of whom have only got a primary education.
Sister Rita chose 10 out of 46 young mothers. The selection was based on financial
insecurity, passion for business, willingness and ability to learn, and business
experience among other considerations. Two of the girls had only primary level
education. The other eight had attended high school at varying levels. The girls’ ages
ranged from 16 to 24 years.
In theory the idea of Vocational Skills Training (VST) implies that individual participants
get to choose their preferred business type from a list of popular business types like
sewing, soap making, farming and others. However, in this pilot case, we decided to
teach one skill in order to reduce the costs associated with individual tutelage.
Accordingly, we chose candle making because of its fast cash turnover and marketing
advantages due to frequent electricity supply outages in the country. This type of
business does not demand a high initial capital outlay. The young mothers were all
happy to learn candle making and selling as a business skill.
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Theoretical Training
The sole trainer, Mr Norlex Chabata of Hands of Hope, conducted a two weeks training
in business management. It was gratifying to see the girls’ eagerness to learn.
Training was held at Newlands Clinic.
The curriculum provided an understanding of entrepreneurship from identifying
business opportunities, writing business proposals, running a business from
production, marketing up to financial management. This module of the program is
relevant for any type of business as foundation for entrepreneurship.
The girls wrote a test at the end of two weeks and they all passed, showing that they
had grasped the business concepts. Although the two grade seven level ladies’ marks
were lower than those of the rest of the team, they still managed to score above the
minimum pass mark of 50%.
Practical Training
The theoretical training was followed by a four week practical training at a Hands of
Hope training venue in town.
The girls got to actually make the candles and to test
the market. They were able to determine the cost of
making the candles and to sell them at a profit. They
were excited when they found that they were able to
replace a bag of candle wax for $45 and still keep a
profit for themselves!
By the end of the practical module, all the girls felt
ready to start their own businesses and planning their
own sales networks among themselves. They were
particularly happy that at the end of the training, our
budget allowed them to be kitted with the basic
manufacturing equipment which included a 20kg bag
of candle wax, a 10 litre aluminium heating kettle, the
8 candle metal mould and candle wick thread.
Look what we have produced!
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Graduation
It was gratifying to observe that the girls took this opportunity seriously. They turned
up in their best dress and for all of them this was their first time to have successfully
completed a course and received a certificate.
Several Newlands Clinic staff took time in between patient appointments to witness the
event and helping with preparations. Marion Mukasa-Batende, the Clinic Manager,
gave a moving opening speech.
Welcome Speech – Graduation Day
“Good afternoon everyone. We gathered here today to celebrate the graduation
ceremony of ten of our young mothers. I am Marion Mukasa-Batende, I am honored to
stand before you this afternoon. First of all on behalf of Prof Luethy who is not able to
be here with us due to prior commitments, Newlands Clinic staff, I would like to
welcome you to the graduation ceremony of our 10 young mothers. I also would like to
thank all our invited guests for coming and for your support. I am sure it’s been an
unforgettable six week journey for you ladies in preparing you for a brighter future.
We would like to thank the kind donor from Switzerland, who has funded this project to
enable the young mothers to go through this life skill training. Thanks to Hands of
Hope for taking them through the training. The name says it all. Thank you Mr.
Chabata. We greatly appreciate.
Individually, the experiences are unique, but together the young ladies have shared a
common bond and that’s being a young mother.
The Newlands Clinic offers a holistic approach to the patients. There is always a
question in an adolescents mind, my health has greatly improved, I was not able to get
a qualification, here I am a young mother but unable to fend for my family, to assist my
husband in the home, what do I do and who do I turn to for assistance. An opportunity
was given to you and today you have gained an incredible skill. We hope the life skill
that has been awarded to you will enable you to reach your desired goals. Put what
you have been taught into practice. We hope we can get more donors to assist more
young mothers.
And yes you can be that what you desire to be. Go forth and sale those candles. May
they not only bring light to the homes but in your hearts as you make them, sale them
and be that business woman you have always wanted to be.
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I acknowledge Africaid Zvandiri for your support too and the Vocational Skills Training
you offer to the youth. I acknowledge the presence of the Zimbabwe National Aids
Council, Mrs Gatsi, our local NAC representative and the ZNAC Provincial Coordinator, Mr Muzondiona. Mrs Rionah Bennet the Hands of Hope Programs Coordinator together with Rumbi.
Remember quality is more important than quantity. Go out there and make quality
candles as you have been taught.
What you may have thought was a dark tunnel, a candle has been handed to you, go
forth and lighten the whole tunnel.
God bless you.
Well done!!!! Thank you.”
Sister Rita, the patron of the young mothers group, also gave a very encouraging
closing speech:
“Almost 2 years now when the thought of having a support group for the young
mothers came to my mind, today am all smiles. In 2005 when I started working at
Newlands Clinic (then Connaught Clinic) as a Paediatric nurse I never thought one day I
would talk to a mother born HIV positive with a baby. Not because I had no hope but
because the clinic was flooded with younger children. Nine years today the clinic is
flooded with young ladies with babies. Pain free, growing normally. The ARVs have
now taken us to another level, another generation. I am happy that the babies are HIV
free, as a result of successful PMTCT program here at Newlands Clinic.
Despite the young mothers having HIV negative babies, there is limited joy because of
lack of income. The greater number of them have no form of income, the husbands not
working as well. Most of the time they complain of stress related headache. Today 10
of the chosen young mothers have finished a 6 week VST Programme, they trained on
how to start a business, how to manage the business finance, how to handle
themselves professionally. I would like to thank the well-wisher who donated the funds
for the VST Programme. You have added a new life to the young mothers. I wish that
all the other young mothers will be able to have such an opportunity. Many thanks to
Mrs Mugamu for running around and making this program a success. I would also
want to thank Hands of Hope for the training. Above all and not least I would like to
thank two lovely ladies who are always by my side assisting me when we have our
monthly young mothers support groups, lovely Loveness, akavimbika (someone who is
trustworthy) Vimbai.”
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The Clinic Deputy Director even found a bit of time to join in the cheering and ululating.
Vimbai and Loveness, the Clinic expert patients and adolescent counsellors, worked
tirelessly behind the scenes and also joined in the cheering and singing.
The graduation day and time had been set such that it coincided with the monthly
Newlands Clinic young mothers support group time so that many of our young mothers
could also attend. There was singing and rejoicing throughout the event. Two of the
trainees gave testimonies.
J.C. (23 years) had this to say:
“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I would like to firstly and
foremost thank Newlands Clinic and Hands of Hope for this opportunity
that has been given to us. I was one of the young mothers that have
been groomed to be able to fend for myself and my family from this
project. I hope and trust that the donors have faith in us, so that we
become responsible people in the community. I hope this programme
will also continue to other young mothers like me so that they can also
do something in life.”
Nineteen year old E.M. said:
“On behalf of the young mothers I would like to thank Newlands Clinic
staff members and the Donor on giving us the opportunity to take part
in the candle project. It was surely an honour, and I hope this kind of
project does not stop with us. Keep your love flowing.
During this time we learnt a lot and the project itself went well. We met
new friends, shared a lot and also got different ideas. As for me this
project has given me a new direction in life. Living as an orphan can be
hard but now I have something to lean on. It is not also easy for
someone to just offer help but for us I say we are blessed.
I would like thank Hands of Hope Institute for training us in a good and
proper way. It was great working with them. The teachers are
understanding and would explain everything to make us sure we
understand.
And now to the ladies I can only say, take this seriously and don’t look
down upon yourself. Whenever you hear a voice telling you that you
cannot take a brush and paint and that voice will be silenced. You can
wear any shoe you want and live the life you imagined.
Once again I say thank you to you all.”
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Dr Margaret Pascoe (Newlands Clinic) handed out the certificates on behalf of
Professor Luethy with assistance from the Hands of Hope Coordinator, Mrs Rionah
Bennet. All the 10 girls received their manufacturing equipment and a starter 20kg bag
of candle wax and thread to start their own business operations.
A brief evaluation and the future
The training program has been successful in that all the girls’ attendance rate was
>90% through the six weeks. They all passed their theory module. They all are able to
manufacture marketable quality candles. A proprietor has placed an order for 1000
candles at the time of writing this report. Six of our ladies have joined together to
produce the required 1000 candles. The other four girls are producing from home.
What remains to be seen is the girls’ discipline in business. Individual monitoring of the
girls will commence now. The major challenge is that we are dealing with HIV-positive
youth who have experienced psychological bruising one way or another. Therefore,
Newlands Clinic’s ongoing message of love and care remains critical to the girls’
psychological development.
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