Girls using sewing machines as they learn how to make clothes

June 2010: The NAFA training centre in Bowé is now community managed, well equipped and more sustainable, and so can help more children and young people get the skills they need.

This work was part of a Plan project to improve several training centres in Guinea, increasing young people’s access to training.

Learning vocational skills

In many communities here, children do not attend school - due to insufficient funds for school fees, unsuitable school facilities, or a lack of parental interest. But the NAFA centre teaches these children useful vocational skills, like how to make clothes or soap, or how to embroider.

Before an intervention from Plan and local partners, the centre’s management structure was poor and prevented the local community from being significantly involved. The centre’s activities were not sustainable, meaning that many students dropped out, and there was also a lack of teaching materials.

Community participation

Students participate in a soap making workshop

So Plan Guinea and local partners met with the centre to diagnose problems and work out solutions.

A managing committee made up of the local community and parents of students was set up to ensure community participation at the NAFA centre. Plan gave training to the committee in management and accountability.

In an awareness raising campaign financially supported by Plan, local partners and trainers gave talks to nearby villages about the opportunities that the centre offers to children. The centre now has 67 students, and the local community knows much more about what happens there.

A better learning environment

The soap that students make will be sold to increase the sustainability of the centre

Plan also funded learning materials and books, a new workshop for soap-making, the construction of a block of latrines, plus bonuses for 3 new trainers. 

The quality of education has since improved, as well as the learning environment. Ivette, a tailoring student, said: “Today, I feel comfortable as I sew clothes.”

The centre now sells its soap to generate revenue and therefore increase its sustainability: production has increased from 50 bars a week to up to 250. It is also in negotiations to provide uniforms to primary schools in the area in 2011.

Ambitious Michel, president of the management committee, said: “We’re going to change the centre and all our students will leave satisfied.”