Maamba Youth Projects,
Zambia
Maamba Youth Projects is based in a small mining town in Zambia, 250 miles south of the capital Lusaka. Through three separate colleges, it offers dress-making, office skills and carpentry courses to around 60 students each year in a very poor rural area where there are no other further educational or training opportunities for young people. Workaid has been involved with this project, run by Sister Mary Fallon, since 1994. Our most recent donation of 30 sewing machines, five carpentry kits and a car mechanics' kit was dispatched in October 2006.

In Maamba Youth Projects 2006 annual report received recently, Sister Mary gave a touching account of last year's graduation ceremony, where students each received a sewing machine or tool kit along with their exam certificates. One of the carpentry students, Kizito, is lame and walks with the aid of a crutch. Sister Mary wrote: "As Kizito approached the guest of honour, he spontaneously threw his crutch away and leaped into the air. He landed on his good foot and, as he stood with his hands on his box of tools, the look on his face was ecstatic."

Kizito was one of eight students graduating from the small carpentry section. Two of the others, Gregory and Lacent, have formed a co-operative and are now making furniture for sale. In the annual report, Gregory wrote: "We are proud of our work as our furniture is strong, attractive and durable. We express our sincere thanks to Workaid who provided us with the tools and enabled us to make this major step forward to self-employment."Maamba Pic

Many past tailoring students also have their own small businesses designing and making clothes on Workaid sewing machines. One of these is Julia, who is pictured working at her roadside stall making a dress for a waiting customer. Julia said: "This precious possession has changed my life. Now I am able to supplement my husband's income and make a better life for our three small children. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Workaid and all its members."