The Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre hosted an open house yesterday to showcase the work of 55 women who are current students of the centre’s programmes.

The centre provides free training to underprivileged women who might not have the tools to be financially independent and self-sufficient.

They offer three different programmes: Cooking and pastries, sewing and hydroponics.

Shazna Khan, the centre’s manager, said the programme was only offered to women who had little to no education, who are from lower-income backgrounds and those who are widows, divorcees or single mothers.

“The centre was built for them so that they could come here, learn a skill and go out into the world and start something of their own,” said Ms Khan.

Maria Miriama holding a pillow she sewed at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre on May 4, 2019. Photo: Sydnee Gonzalez.

Since opening in September of 2015, 73 women have graduated from the centre. Ms Khan said they had had an 85 per cent success rate with their graduates.

“We’ve seen that women have either been employed or they have started their own small businesses, and we’ve also employed some of these women in our own centres,” said Ms Khan.

“These women have also formed groups and are taking part in craft shows and women’s expos.”

She said the open day event was organised to empower the women in the programme by giving them the opportunity to exhibit their hard work to the public.

Maria Miriama, 21, will be graduating from the centre’s sewing programme. After losing both her parents last year, she said she wanted to participate in the programme in order “to make her own way in the world”.

“I came here so that I can be independent, so I won’t be a burden on others and so that I can support my family” said Ms Miriama.

She hopes that her certificate will enable her to open her own tailoring business after graduation.

Maria Miriama holding a shirt she sewed at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre on May 4, 2019. Photo: Sydnee Gonzalez.

Abigail Teemoa, 21, is grateful for the new skills she has learned during her time in the centre’s cooking and pastry programme.

After she completes the programme, she hopes to also take the centre’s sewing programme.

Eventually she hopes these skills will allow her to support her future family.

“I’ve enjoyed taking this course and learning more skills,” she said, adding that she would recommend it to others.

Ms Teemoa and Ms Miriama will graduate with the rest of their classmates on May 13, 2019.

Students of the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre during their open day on May 4, 2019. Report on >P3 Photo: Simione Haravanua

Edited by Epineri Vula

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