This project started in Besease, a village in the Ashanti region of Ghana but has progressed to other communities. To Live In H.O.P.E has added teenage girls to the project so that we can thrive through education and small-scale entrepreneurship in their communities we are also seeking to tackle the rising of teenage pregnancy issues in Ghana.

The vulnerable youth and vocational training project seeks to provide entrepreneurial and vocational skills training. Its ultimate goal is to support teenage mothers and single mothers from very poor families, by means of obtaining skills training or vocational qualifications for the improvement of their quality of life and that of their families and the communities from where they come from. This project seeks to make the young girls and mothers self-employed and capable of making an adequate living whilst also contributing to the Ghanaian labour market.

Challenge

Ghana is facing serious social and economic challenges due to the global economic crisis, increasing poverty in our villages and towns. Ahanti region has many  communities that are subsistence farmer families with limited resources, all face the common problem of not being able to afford educational needs of their children making them at high risk of dropping out. Most these single young mothers and teenage mothers have additionally also lost their parents. This has led to these girls being on streets and low self-esteem also many people looks down upon them since they don’t have job . As well as the issue has led to youth unemployment and early marriages. Unemployed young girls and teenage mothers will benefit in the project.

Solution

The project will provide skills training, entrepreneurial and vocational skills training course in two different fields to poor unemployed young girls and teenage mothers in order to provide them with an alternative way to earn an income. The project seeks to provide 10 young girls and teenage mothers with vocational training. 8 out of the 10 will learn sewing and the remaining 2 will learn hairdressing. Provision of post vocational tools for the trainees on completion of their two years training so that they can start businesses related to skills acquired. The skills that will be acquired will help them realize their potential, start micro enterprises that will give them a good life.

Long-Term Impact

The project seeks to provide 10 young and adult mothers with vocational skills which will make their future self-sustainable and economic security. Vocational skills training will produce a general community improvement, encouraging a professional and moral growth, respectful of society and of existing cultural and family ties. Being economically secure, will better protect their future and their rights to health, nutrition, giving them a voice.