Vocational Classes for Girls

Crafts in general

Since the start of Grasslands Secondary School, it has been our goal to offer vocational training and in January 2025 we are offering our first course: Tailoring. Besides it being our passion to offer girls (as well as young mothers, widows and families that are struggling) a basis that they can fall back on. It was also brought on to the agenda of the Tanzanian government: offering vocational courses, besides the general secondary subjects.

Besides tailoring targeted mainly to teach the girls, we are looking at further courses that girls can follow, to broaden their knowledge and to have various possibilities for the divers interest that students haves. After doing research for the best courses, for both the school as well as the students, the school came up with two more courses that we would like to start in the coming year: Bakery and Soap Making.

Just like the tailoring, this will help them in further practical work, but also training into a vocational course. Not all students will have the chance to go to university or other study after their secondary schooling. A vocational training will provide them with skills so it is easier for them to start a small business on their own or get a job elsewhere.

Also these two courses will help the school in self-production, it will not only lower the general costs; but can also be used for selling to others in the neighborhood.

All of the products produced at Grassland Secondary School will be sold at the school shop. This is handled by the students, giving them experience in working in a shop, keeping up the finances and thus giving them general business experience.

Ongoing - Sewing lessons

Since the start of this year, we have been offering sewing classes for the girls at school. We also want to expand this for women in the neighbourhood. We are grateful for the donations we have received in the past to buy sewing machines and materials. We have also collected materials during various actions in the Netherlands and this was taken to the school during the visit from the board last year.

Bakery

Baking various breads and cakes, made by products such as wheat, but also cassava and bananas. Besides it being a training facility to the students, the produce can be used for the school meals (especially offering those that are in boarding) and thus cutting down further costs. But also as a business for outsiders, offering cakes for different occasions. Though an electric oven, is not something that most households have, there are many small ‘ovens run on charcoal’ that will allow the girls to start baking their own items at home. So even if they are a home-stay mother, being able to bake bread buns or other baked items, allows them to start a business from home, while watching the children. Giving them an increase in income and allowing them and their children more chances.

With it being unknown when electricity will be placed at the school by the government, we have chosen to buy a bakery run on charcoal, which is readily available from the neighborhood and a cheaper means of fuel. (Understanding that in western countries this might bring up questions, we do follow the guidance of our Tanzanian colleagues who are on the ground)

 Costs

Soap Production

A daily used item is soap. Just like with the other vocations this training will offer a skill to the students and is something that will help the school in self-sufficiency. Another function of this training is the skills that they get in the science behind making soap. How chemicals react when brought together, safety for oneself while making soap and the difference between making bar soaps and liquid detergents (Toilet / septic soap). Materials and costs required for making both bar soap and liquid soap:

We are still looking for sponsors for both projects, if you see something nice among them and would like to support one of the projects, or part of it, we would love to hear from you.

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