Bridging the chasm between school and life

The ‘Nurture a Girl’ initiative launched by Mariswe five years ago has stepped up from supplying basic hygiene needs for high school learners to teaching them economic independence.

“This has become a vital progression in our support for teenage girls due to the significant challenges they face on leaving the school system,” explains Nonkululeko Sindane, CEO of Mariswe.

Nurture a Girl was launched in schools in four provinces in 2017 and includes exposure to life skills, career advice and counselling. However, Patience Mashala, programme manager, Mariswe, says in order to provide sustainable value, their beneficiaries need to know how to become self-sufficient.

“That’s why we are expanding Nurture a Girl to help our beneficiaries earn a living upon leaving the school system,” she explains.

Providing trade and business skills

Mariswe kicked off the enhanced programme at Thembinkosi School for learners with special educational needs in Thembisa – a founder Nurture a Girl beneficiary school. To enable the teaching of basic trades, Mariswe provided the school with a shed and tools for vegetable gardening, an industrial bread-baking stove with dough mixer, industrial sewing machines, carpentry tools and materials, and carwash equipment. Teachers have also received formal training in carpentry, while training in other skills may be provided if needed.

“By the end of this year, we expect our beneficiaries to know how to start and manage their own businesses. In addition to the core skills, we will provide training on essential business skills, including stocktaking, invoices and receipts, marketing and sales. Our programme aims to help produce strong, independent, successful women,” she adds.Mashala urges other businesses to join Mariswe in supporting the Nurture a Girl initiative.

Every sponsorship of R150 a month|, or R1 800 a year, enables one more teenage girl to become a beneficiary. It will require more to provide the self-sustaining skills initiated at Thembinkosi. However, Mashala is confident the programme can be expanded across all beneficiary schools, one step at a time.

Nonkululeko Sindane, Mariswe CEO (seated), and Patience Mashala, manager of Nurture a Girl (standing centre), with beneficiaries at Thembinkosi School

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