Muslim Family Counselling Services (MFCS)
Training thirty young people in marketable skills, Ghana
Aim: The main aim of the project is to deliver life-enhancing skills along with specific and ongoing support to marginalized youths (regardless of religion) in
Background: Youth unemployment continues to be a problem in the selected communities. Parents continue to send their children onto the streets to engage in menial jobs in order to make a living. The majority of beneficiaries have not been able to complete their basic education. For these children, whose work is typically unstable, low paid, dangerous and injurious, life is a constant nightmare. To cope with these problems street children adopt any possible survival strategies, including begging, prostitution, crime and drug peddling. This calls for urgent practical action.
The Programme: The project is designed to give 30 young people skills and support to establish their own businesses thereby breaking the cycle of poverty in the communities. Skills on offer include hairdressing, tailoring, dressmaking, electrical repairs and computer literacy. In addition, the participants receive life skills training and training in setting up their own businesses. Graduates from the training courses are encouraged to come back and share their skills with new trainees, often on a voluntary basis.
Partners: MFCS has seventeen years of experience in organizing workshops, seminars, community forums and the production and distribution of information and educational materials. While MFCS has its roots in the Muslim community, it extends its services to all, regardless of religion. It works closely with the local community, and have received support from a variety of governmental and non-governmental institutions such as the Ministry of Manpower Development, the Ghana Aids Commission and Rights and Voice Initiatives.
Outcome: Thirty deprived youths will be trained in marketable skills of their choice, as well as being provided with life-enhancement and life skills education and entrepreneurial skill to set up and manage enterprises by the end of the project.
Evaluation: MFCS has a rigorous internal monitoring programme. This involves regular field visits and focused group discussions with beneficiaries, their parents and community representatives. MFCS has submitted a baseline study and its first six month interim report to Tzedek.
Progress: In their first 6 month evaluation MFCS reports that 30 youths were recruited from the street and are being trained in life skills and vocations such as computers and tailoring. 27 are still in the programme.
Required Funds: Tzedek has approved one grant of £2800, the total amount requested by MFCS.
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