Country: Ghana
In partnership with: Self-Help Initiative Support Services 
Funded by: Comic Relief, Jephcott Charitable Trust, Gibbs Charitable Trust
Period: July 2002 - June 2005

African Outreach partnered with SISS to train disadvantaged young Ghanaian women and girls. These trainees were struggling to make a living as low paid housemaids or sleeping rough on the streets in Accra. The aim of the project was to empower vulnerable young women and girls with new job skills and assist them to earn better incomes.

During training, individuals acquired the confidence to leave their current situation and find better paid work, or become self-employed and start a small income generating project.

A total of 333 young women learned new skills in computing, batik, tie and dye, catering, hair plaiting, crocheting and bead making. Skills training was supplemented by education on health and gender issues and HIV/AIDS.

Trainees who chose the self-employment and small business option were mentored to set up their income generating ventures. They were also supported with start up funds and business development skills training.

The project made such sufficient impact that project staff were invited to a National Development Planning Commission workshop to input into the government's Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (GPRS II) policy.