The EmpowerHer Skills Training Project, organized by the PWS Foundation, took place on August 30th and 31st, 2024, in Dodowa, Adumanya. The goal was to empower teen mothers and widows in the community by teaching them practical skills they could use to earn a living. Support from various sponsors across Ghana made the project possible.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the EmpowerHer Skills Training Project were to:

• Provide participants with hands-on training in different skills.
• Help participants create their own small businesses or income-generating opportunities.
• Build a sense of community and support among participants.

PARTICIPANTS 

A total of 76 people attended over the two days: 64 participants on the first day, with 12 more joining on the second day. We had an average attendance of about 70 participants over the two days.

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PROGRAM OUTLINE 

The training was spread over two days with different skills and interactive sessions:

Day 1: Skills Training

• 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Arrival, registration, welcome, and introduction.
• 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Parallel sessions on Liquid Soap Production, Interior Decoration, Fascinator Making, and Tie and Dye Making.
• 11:35 AM – 1:10 PM: Participants rotated or continued with their chosen skills.
• 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Final hands-on practice sessions.
• 3:05 PM – 4:30 PM: All participants joined in for a bonus session on Ice Cream Making.
• 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Wrap-up and departure.

Day 2: Skills Training and Closing

• 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Arrival and recap of Day 1.
• 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Recap of skills from Day 1 and advanced practice.
• 11:35 AM – 1:10 PM: Continued practice and further skill-building.
• 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Final ice cream making session.
• 2:05 PM – 3:30 PM: Distribution of startup packages, citation presentations, and closing remarks.
• 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Group photos, networking, and departure.

TRAINING AND CONTENT STRUCTURE 

The training focused on five key skills:

1. Tie and Dye Making – Led by a facilitator with two assistants.
2. Liquid Soap Making – Led by a facilitator.
3. Fascinator Making – Led by a facilitator with one assistant.
4. Interior Decoration – Led by a facilitator.
5. Ice Cream Making – A bonus session for everyone, led by a facilitator with one assistant.

Each session included an introduction to the materials needed, a step-by-step guide on how to use them, and discussions about challenges participants might face when starting their own businesses and how to handle them. Participants were given plenty of time for hands-on practice, making the sessions lively and interactive.

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 ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTCOMES 

The training achieved its goals by:

– Teaching participants practical skills they could use to start their own small businesses.

– Awarding startup packages to the best-performing participants to help them get started right away.

– Encouraging both older women and teens to actively take part and learn.

It was inspiring to see everyone, from young teens to older women, engaged in learning. We encouraged participants to start using their new skills as soon as possible to keep the lessons fresh in their minds.

 PRE-TRAINING PREPARATIONS

Before the training, some delegates from PWS visited the community to introduce the foundation, explain our purpose, and register participants. We received a warm welcome and permission from the community leaders. A local representative helped us with logistics and coordination.

CHALLENGES 

We faced several challenges:

– It was difficult to raise enough funds for the project, and it took longer than expected to secure the necessary support.

– Coordinating the different sessions and ensuring that all participants got enough practice time required careful planning.

Despite these challenges, we managed to deliver a successful training event.

CONCLUSION 

The EmpowerHer Skills Training Project was a success. It provided valuable skills to the women of Dodowa Adumanya, helping them find ways to earn a living. The enthusiasm and support from participants, the community, and our sponsors made this project possible, and we look forward to continuing similar initiatives in other communities.