Empowering Youth for a Brighter Future

Given (28) dreamt of becoming a teacher, but she could not afford to attend college after completing her basic education. Lacking other skills and qualifications, Given could not find a job that paid well enough for her to care for her two children. 

Thanks to The Coca-Cola Foundation's Tomorrow is Brighter youth empowerment project implemented by Save the Children in Beitbridge and Matobo districts, Given now has a reliable source of income. She is part of a group that was trained on garment construction and received project start-up kits, including machines, sewing materials, and other essential equipment.

Given says she sees a brighter future ahead as she now has skills to help her earn a better living.

“I would like to thank The Coca-Cola Foundation and Save the Children for uplifting us. We are lucky to have received the knowledge and start-up kits for free. Most of us cannot afford to go to vocational training schools or even buy the sewing equipment that we received.”

“I plan to sew uniforms and earn a living for my family through selling them.”

“I have two children who go to school. Apart from sewing uniforms for sale so that I get money for their school fees, I will also sew school uniforms for my children.”

Under the project, 40 groups of youths consisting of 10 members each were trained by specialized trainers and given start up kits to help them start income generating projects varying from garment construction, poultry production, welding, hairdressing and beauty therapy.

The initiative aims to reduce illegal and unsafe migration of young people to other countries in search for greener pastures, diversify and enhance income for rural households and mitigate effects of COVID-19 on youth employment.