Over 70% of Youth Training and Employability Centre participants are women
Graduates now earn three and a half times more than their pre-training earnings.​
After graduating 70% of participants lead independent lives. ​
Impact
Young people, all over the world, are facing challenges when trying to find work and transition to independence, as many lack the opportunities and technical skills needed to get a job. The Gambia has the third highest rate of young people out of employment, training or education. In the rural areas of the country, 70% of people live in poverty and the education completion rates for young people of secondary school age is only around 30%. Â
To address these complex challenges, SOS Children’s Villages has developed the Youth Employability and Training Programme, aiming to empower 1,000 young people from the rural Upper River Region of The Gambia with training and employability skills to help them build sustainable livelihoods. Â
“Education is a wonderful gift to give. Something I cherish for my own kids too. Education and training can change the course of young people’s future and also has a positive impact on the wider community. Supporting SOS Children’s Villages work as a business is a sustainable and practical way for us to give back and help people out of poverty.”
Rebekah Johanson,Â
Founder, Lines & Current
What they have supported and why
Lines & Current chose to support SOS Children’s Villages Youth Training and Employability Programme (YTEP) in The Gambia as they understand how education and livelihood training can break the cycle of inequality.
In addition to employment specific training in sewing and design, catering and hospitality, social work and PC and mobile repair, the programme also offers literacy and entrepreneurship classes. Once students have completed their classroom training, each student takes up an internship relevant to their course. For example, catering and hospitality students have interned with Gambia Tourism.
One of the strengths of the programme, distinguishing it from others, is the guidance and counselling offered to students. Many students have faced bad experiences at school before joining so instructors support them in developing study skills, fostering positive self-esteem and building resilience. This guidance and counselling continues in monthly sessions throughout the course.
Early marriage and pregnancy in Basse are common, with 21% of 15-19 years old having children. Research shows that children are a barrier to girls going onto further education or training and are the reason some girls have dropped out of training at YTEP. It is crucial that women are empowered to take control of their futures, supported by their community. Students take Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights classes tackle these issues.  Â
To ensure the Centre’s continued impact in the lives of local young people, financial sustainability is essential. A key part of this has been the development of diverse income generation opportunities; this now includes the restaurant, a bakery, external catering services and graduation gown hire.
Ajie, aged 24, explains how he joined the programme; “I finished my education at grade 11 and dropped-out. My Dad told me about this programme. He said there is a school there, why don’t you join them?  YTEP is a very good school because I learnt a lot there. Now, I can even open my own restaurant because I learnt everything. It’s all because of YTEP. I want to be the best chef in the world! That’s my dream.” Ajie is now employed in a local restaurant.Â
Partnership highlights
Find out more
Visit Lines & Current’s website to find out more about their commitment to supporting worthy causes.
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Black Friday Weekend 2024
For Black Friday Weekend 2024, Lines & Current pledged 30% of their profits from their sales to support our emergency humanitarian efforts in South Sudan.
This is one of the world’s most underfunded and unreported cries, making their support invaluable to those we are supporting.
Children like Mahdi long for the peace and stability they once knew.
Black Friday Weekend 2023
During Black Friday Weekend in 2023, Lines & Current supported our Gaza appeal where we have been providing direct humanitarian support to the most affected families and separated children since the start of the war.
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