Shariffa Keshavjee

[kmaherali]

Monday, 3rd September, 2012
Founder Member Shariffa Keshavjee wins TIAW Award

The TIAW World of Difference 100 Award recognizes amazing individuals whose efforts have advanced the economic empowerment of women locally, regionally or worldwide.

The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) serves as the global umbrella organization that unites, supports and promotes professional women and their networks to work together, share resources and leverage ideas.

More information: http://www.tiaw.org/

Link to Award Winners (PDF) http://www.tiaw.org/awards/2012_wod_100 ... s_2012.pdf

Shariffa Keshavjee – Kenya – Education
Kenya has made major strides in education over the past few decades providing free primary education, subsidized secondary education and loans for tertiary education. However, some youth, mainly girls, fall through the cracks, ending up as domestic help, in prostitution or scavenging for food as their ultra-poor families cannot afford to pay for uniforms, books and transport for schooling. After talking to some girls she met cavenging for food, she realized that they needed basic life skills, combined with strong preparation for techno-vocational training. Shariffa mobilized several volunteers to teach sections of the curriculum on basic life skills; English, Math, and computer literacy. They develop these skills over a one year period and afterward easily gain admission to echnovocational colleges. Well-wishers pay for the fees after interviewing the girls and they are tracked to ensure eventual employment. The Centre has found gainful employment for 200 girls over a ten year period, of which 40% have jobs in IT, 20% in catering, 20% in hairdressing and 10% are self-employed seamstresses.

http://www.girlscentre.com/pages/posts/ ... ard-29.php