Nyalla : Vocational training centre for young women

Cameroon
Douala, Nyalla district

Context

In Nyalla, a district of Douala where the training centre run by Chaîne des Foyers de Saint-Nicodème is located, field teams have found that 75% of girls do not live with their biological families. These young women lack schooling and mostly come from rural areas and extremely impoverished families. When they reach the age of 14, their parents send them to the city in the hope that they will find work and a husband and eventually send money back to the village. 

Local partner

  • Chaîne des Foyers Saint-Nicodème (CFSN) 

Objectives

  • Promote the social and economic independence of girls in highly vulnerable situations
  • Improve the quality of training
  • Help these girls and young women gain social and financial independence, thus contributing to reducing gender inequalities
  • Boost the confidence of these vulnerable girls and young mothers while preventing their return to the street
Young girls at the New Bell centre, Cameroon © CFSN

Activities

Established in 1996, the Chaîne des Foyers Saint-Nicodème is a recognized facility caring for children in street situations in Douala. 

The Arts & Styles vocational training centre aims to give young women the means to achieve social and financial independence and thus help reduce gender inequalities. The centre offers training in sewing and hairdressing/beauty, along with individual support, medical check-ups, hygiene and health education, and parenting support. Once they have completed their training, the young women receive financial assistance to start their own businesses (help finding premises, purchase of initial supplies). Further support is provided during the first year to give their businesses the best chance of success.

Linked programmes

Child protection

Support children in street situations to promote their rights and reintegrate them sustainably into society.
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Family and parenting support

Support parents in their educational role and empower them as key actors in child protection.
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Integration and entrepreneurship

Provide young people with vocational training and socio-educational support to enable them to build a better future.
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