Ghana
Growing up in northern Ghana is tough – especially if you’re a girl. Economic and cultural factors work against you making jobs hard to find, with the result that many young women end up on the streets of the capital Accra. We’re working with our partners to change that.
Now I can make and sell clothes and I know how much to charge.
Adam Fuseina (20) lives in the village of Dimabi, 4 km from Tolon on the outskirts of Tamale in northern Ghana. Fuseina sells garments that she’s made to people in her local community. She learnt her tailoring skills by attending a training course run by our partner Girls Growth and Development (GIGDEV).
I make about 1 cedi (that’s about 40 pence) for the shirts I make, after I’ve deducted the cost of the material and the buttons. As well as my tailoring training I also received help with reading, writing and maths … So now, as well as making clothes I can also take measurements and record them accurately. I know how much to charge my customers for the clothes I make. As I’m the only one in my family who can read, I can help my brothers and sisters too.
As well as training young women in the art of tailoring GIGDEV enables them to take their first steps into self-employment. Tools for Self Reliance funds the training and supplies the sewing machines the girls need.
