Project: Teenage Mothers (January 2007 - September 2007)

This program objectives are: to facilitate pre- and post-natal care to teenager mothers; to provide education on how to care for the babies and how to assume the responsibilities that come with having a child; and to provide skill training that would allow the mothers to generate some income. The educational aspect of the program also includes teaching the girls to respect their own bodies and to ensure that their bodies are respected by others. For the skills training, it was decided to create a sewing workshop that will teach sewing to these young women and that will provide them with the opportunity to generate some income. They will be able to use the sewing machines after the program is completed. The program in Colombia is called Tejedoras de Esperanza - The Weavers of Hope.

November 2007

The program, which includes personal and sewing training, has been very successful with the young women who have attended. However, it has been difficult to obtain more participation from the very young mothers (13,-16 years old). Sewing doesn't appear to appeal to very young teenagers. They get bored and don't come back. We are thinking about and exploring other possibilities to attract the very young and more-at-risk young women.  The program helped to fix the workshop where the training is taking place. This again is very useful for the community since it can be utilized again and again. A first group finished in April of this year and the second group started in May and completed the program at the end of August. In total forty young women completed the training. Up to now, six of them have found permanent jobs. Four of those jobs are in the center we partnered with for the training. Out of this group, aged from 13 to 20 years old, the younger mothers, are the most difficult to motivate. They prefer to stay home and be supported by their parents (usually the mother) or boy friend. On the other hand, those aged 18 or older are very motivated. They want to take charge of their lives and their babies. We are trying to find ways to motivate the younger group. The facilities Before Here the young women receive part of the training   Paying attention and learning to use the machines Showing off their accomplishments How about these dresses?

A good number of the women who finished the workshop are already doing some work. As mentioned in the previous report, we were able to obtain a contract to make the uniforms for the local public school children. This allows the women not only to practice and improve their skills but to earn some badly-needed money.

Status  June 2007

The first group finished the training in April. Of twenty three young women who started the program, eighteen completed the program. This is a very high number for this type of the population. Most of these young women have great difficulties in their homes and it is not easy for them to dedicate the necessary time for such a program. Some of the skills learned in terms of sewing included making pants, skirts and dresses. But they also learned new skills such as how to care for their children, to prepare for them, and most of all self-respect. The instructor showing the use of the machine  What do I need to do next?   With their babies – learning The second group started in the middle of May with 27 participants. Until now, there has been no desertion. For this second group there were some adjustments to the program based on feedback provided by the first participants. For instance, the practice time was increased. As an interesting note, one of the previous participants is acting as assistant for the second group. The idea is not only to give a job opportunity to somebody but also train a “trainer” within the community who can then train others in the future. Showing off their work! The skirts for the School students

In general this program has been very well received by the women who participated in the first program and by the ones who are in the second program. There are a number of difficulties, for example in taking measurements. Some of these women have little education and doing some of the arithmetic required was a challenge. In addition to the skills learned and the opportunities that are now open for these young women, a contract was obtained with the local public school to make the pants, skirts and shirts for their 1,300 students. This contract facilitates the practice, the use of material and the possibility for future work opportunities. This is what is fundamental for these young women.

Location

After exploring alliances with local organizations to define the best location for the training, it was decided to work with Fundación Centro de Solidaridad La Esperanza (Cesoles) . This foundation is located in a very depressed area in the community where we are working. It is managed by a community of nuns. Seeing the nuns' facility, you have the feeling of finding an oasis in the middle of a desert. Despite the simplicity of the facility, its clean and welcoming appearance gives this very poor community a place of hope. The nuns work with the community, focusing on children and women. They already had some sewing machines and a woman who teaches others this skill. It was a perfect fit for the program we are developing. The nuns had an abandoned property near where they are located, which could be remodelled and conditioned for a sewing workshop that would fit our objectives. As part of the program, we remodelled the abandoned building, installed toilets and a little kitchen. See the pictures of the final result below.

The white nice-looking building is the front of the sewing workshop. The inside, new and clean and ready for use

 Recruiting

Since December, working with CESOLES, we have been identifying the young mothers or pregnant teenagers that would be participants of the program. As part of the recruiting process, we visited their families and assessed their situation. Our target is to train 50 young women. The ages of the young women range from 13 years old to 20. These young women have a great level of enthusiasm and expectatation. The first day they felt a little shy during the orientation, but it is expected that after few days they will be very comfortable. The training will be done in two sections -the first one started on February 19th.

Excited and a little shy during orientation

Doing some group exercises

 Medical Attention

An alliance was made with a local health center, El Divino Salvador, to ensure that these young women receive any necessary medical attention during the pregnancy and after their babies are born.

Training and Education

In addition to the training in sewing, the young women receive personal development training. The structure and content of this part of the program is being conducted jointly with the Universidad del Valle , a local University with whom we have worked very successfully in other programs.

Generating Income

As part of the alliances formed for this program, the young women will be making the uniforms for the local public schools. This includes pants, shirts and blouses. It was a great fortune to obtain this contract since this has a great potential for the young women to continue to generate income in the future.