The TEAM Girl Malawi project enables the most marginalised adolescent girls to achieve a basic education and transition into a successful future. Once girls (and boys) have completed two years of literacy, numeracy and life-skills classes, in special community learning centres, they are supported to transition into the pathway of their choice. They can choose to return to mainstream school, undertake entrepreneurship, or join vocational training.
Mercy is a learner in Mchinji District with learning challenges. When she graduated from our learning centre she chose to join vocational training run by Supreme Sanitary Pads. Supreme is a Malawian based social enterprise. As a partner on TEAM Girl Malawi they provide training in tailoring to graduates. This includes production of bags, school uniforms, and reusable sanitary pads.
When she first joined vocational training, Mercy was unable to sit in class. Her mother thought that she would not manage to complete the course. Supreme’s project officer visited her mother a few times to understand her concerns and to get to know how Mercy likes to experience new things.
The project officer supported the vocational trainer in-person and over the phone to use inclusive education approaches, mirroring those which are used in the community learning classes and which enabled Mercy to graduate. That included looking at the individualised education plan that had been made for her at the community learning centre and using that as a starting point to create realistic and achievable learning goals especially for her. The officer then checked in periodically to help tweak the plan and support the trainer and ensure the right support was in place.
Later, the plan was used for assessment and creation of an individual certificate which would recognise Mercy’s achievements.
By the end of the course Mercy had achieved a lot!
Mercy’s mother was so happy that her child had learnt these new skills and commented that if Mercy had gone to school she would probably have dropped out, but now she can mend clothes and make some small items. By recognising each learner’s individual needs and adapting to their strengths, TEAM Girl Malawi is ensuring that every girl is able to follow her dream of a better future.