Vocational training courses with a focus on young people and women

The Methodist Church offers literacy courses and low-threshold vocational training for young people and women in the Kingabwa district to enable them to earn their own income and thus contribute to their families' livelihoods. In addition, young people are taken off the streets through football training and thus kept away from gang crime.

Due to a lack of prospects, many young people in the Kingabwa district end up in risky life situations that are often associated with prostitution, violence and crime. Young women, who are often single parents and therefore have little time and resources to generate income, are particularly at risk. As vocational training opportunities are almost exclusively available in the city center, the residents of Kingabwa remain largely excluded, which further increases their social and economic marginalization. According to UN figures, a third of people over the age of 15 can neither read nor write on average across the country. This percentage is correspondingly higher in disadvantaged regions and among women. Reading and writing skills are basic prerequisites for a self-determined and independent life.

For this reason, the project focuses on promoting reading and writing skills. In addition, the Methodist Church offers low-threshold, non-formal vocational training courses in which young people and women acquire practical knowledge that they can use directly to earn an income. Since 2023, courses have been offered in reading and writing skills, tailoring, hairdressing, IT and training to become a driving instructor. Alongside the courses, the young people are encouraged to take part in regular football training. This provides the young people with opportunities for meaningful leisure activities away from drugs and gang crime.

This project is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, through a program contribution.