Life Skills - Vocational Training
In Madagascar only 1 out of 3 children completes primary education.
Many pupils leave when they have tried several times to pass their CEPE exam (end of Primary School). Others start at Secondary School but the need to help support their families means that many will drop out and work in the fields or make charcoal. Many women also get married young and start families, but want to learn more and earn money.
Over the years we have run different length training courses for these people.
Abri: 6 months residential for young women
Eotika: 6 month non-residential (mostly young men)
Nehemia / VET: 3 months non-residential
All of these have training courses have given people skills in literacy, computing, basic maths, sewing and crafts, childcare, gardening, carpentry, decorating, building and labouring, car and bike maintenance, cooking, metalwork, alternative energy, communication skills and Bible Study. Most of all they have experienced this wide range of topics so that they can choose which route they want to go on next.
Previous students have become guards, needle-workers, gardeners, teachers, carpenters, cooks, guest house staff, run shops, school helpers and many more. Others have gone back to education and taken further training courses.
Many people have contributed to the teaching, including previous students! However the co-ordination and follow-up now needs someone else to take it on, and funding needs to be found to enable the courses to continue.
