One Giant Step Toward Independence

Next week this group of vibrant, young trainees enrolled in the Huru Skills Development Program will sit to take the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) exams which, if passed, will enable them to find suitable, higher-wage employment in regulated work conditions. This is a huge step toward achieving economic and personal independence.

The BFF class on their first day of training.

We’ll get into their journey shortly, but before doing so we wanted to share a little bit of background around why we created the Huru Skills Development Program.

Mitigating Unemployment

One in five Kenyans is between the ages of 15 and 24, and youth unemployment in Kenya currently stands as the highest in East Africa. Covid-19 only exacerbated the problem in Nairobi by ravaging the local economy and driving youth unemployment even higher. Many of those living in informal settlements look to survive day-to-day in the country’s “soft” economy, accepting inconsistent and sometimes dangerous contracts with very low pay.

“Soft” economy jobs are often tasks such as doing wash and cleaning

Young vulnerable women are the most impacted. Upon menarche, girls drop out of school at disproportionately higher rates than their male peers, hindering their future opportunities for economic stability, employment, financial independence, and better overall health and well-being.

Designing A Solution To Meet The Needs Of The Local Community

The expanding Kenyan textile and apparel sectors have created a large number of employment opportunities. The government has classified these as core sectors and are part of the country’s second largest industry. Nairobi is a central hub with several large, small and micro manufacturers. As the industry continues to grow, so does the demand for a qualified workforce.

We visited Regina, a program graduate, who runs her own shop making school uniforms.

Putting the needs of women and local industry realities at the center of our design solution, the Huru Skills Development Program was created to uplift young women from Nairobi’s informal settlements to develop high in-demand industrial sewing and tailoring skills for the area’s growing textile and apparel industries. The program also provides lessons on business, finance, entrepreneurship, and health education to prepare well-rounded, educated, and skilled young women for success in and out the workplace.

Meet Our Current Class – “The BFFs”

Barbara Albert’s Mending A LIfe - BFF class

The journey of these young women began in January when a group of vibrant and excited strangers (ages 18-29) arrived at our facility unsure of what to expect but eager to learn. We often find potential trainees as part of our ongoing menstrual health and hygiene distributions. The BFF class includes mothers, sole providers, wives, and single parents, and each carries the desire to acquire new skills that will open new doors to jobs that would help their families live a better life. Funding for the class was generously provided by Barbara Albert’s Mending A Life effort so all could attend with no worry or stress around fees or transportation costs.

Just a few weeks in and the students are working with patterns.

Over the course of their 4-month training, the trainees have learned essential knowledge and skills to be proficient in industrial garment production, knowing how to draft patterns, safely operate different types of sewing machines and production equipment. Those in-demand job skills will be tested and certified when they pass the government recognized National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) exam. Obtaining the NITA certification is key to finding higher earning industry jobs.

Huru’s program also supports the students’ overall well-being with lessons in basic financial literacy, interview skills, small business management, entrepreneurship, and sexual and reproductive health.

A quick break to snap some photos with new friends.

Over the course of the 14-week program it is clear to see their self-esteem and confidence build, their passion for their new careers grow, new friendships form, and optimism for a brighter future emerge. : )

Trainees wearing the blouses and skirts they completed as part of their training.

We look forward to what the future holds for the BFF’s and can’t wait to meet our next class beginning this spring!