Vocational Training

Many of our older children are just not suited to going to school. The classrooms are over crowded, inaccessible and children who are slower to learn really have little chance of getting much attention from an already over stretched teacher.


Both Mamusu and Basiru live in an area we work in called Sima Town, and both have been given a wonderful oppertunity to gain more practical skills at a Vocational Training Centre we have managed to link with. They are the youngest, and the only disabled people there, but both are eager to learn.

Basiru started about a month ago and has already come home proud with some of his accomplished work helping in carpentry. He sure is the talk of his friends!!

While Mamusu hopes start in the tailoring class as soon as possible. There was a slight hitch with Mamusu as the center is a long mountain-path walk away. Basiru is able to walk easily, but Mamusu unfortunatly would not make it in her wheelchair designed for nice smooth pathways. Thankfully, I have contacts with a project funded by Rotary who make PETS - Personal Energy Transportation Systems. These hand propelled carts are much sterdier and able to manage african terrain. Mamusu however had some arm muscle building work to be done. So after a month she is now the proud owner and skilled driver of her own PET. She will need some help on the steep slopes, but otherwise her mum and family are happy to send her off. It's taken some hard work but hopefully she's now got her chance.