SKILLS GIVE GIRLS HOPE
Farmer helps teen mums in Zambia
Teenage mums in Zambia have learned a variety of new skills thanks to a Strath farmer.
Helen-May Bay ne of Auchterarder spent a week visiting the Journeying Together project in the east African country which supports 100 girls and their children.
The Muthill Parish Church session clerk hopes the skills that she and other women shared with the young mothers will help them produce goods they can sell to support themselves.
Helen-May is also a member of the Church of Scotland Guild, which has raised £45,000 for the project so far.
It is run by the United Church of Zambia ( UCZ) in Kanyama – a township near the African nation’s capital, Lusaka.
Skills learned included baking biscuits, card making, sewing and first aid
Helen-May said: “It was very emotional to finally meet the girls that the guild is supporting in Kanyama.
“The dedication and hard work of both paid staff and volunteers who work with them was very impressive and it was good to be alongside them.
“We sang and danced with the girls, causing much laughter.
“What a joy it was to see them gain in confidence at their achievements as they made hair scrunchies, cards and biscuits.”
The project seeks to build selfesteem in the girls and challenge social injustices.
Participants are also given the opportunity to return to school to finish their education, or are provided with vocational training.
Helen- May added: “The girls felt fortunate to be on this programme and, for them, their goal is to earn enough money to enable their children to go to school.
“To actually meet the girls we are supporting, hear their stories and meet their children made the project come alive.
“In the coming months, I will be thirsty for information as to how the girls I’ve got to know are beginning to make a better life for themselves and their children.”
Karen Gillon, associate secretary of the guild, said UCZ is doing “fantastic work” to tackle the cycle of poverty in Kanyama.
“This is a project the guild is proud to support and we now better understand the lives of the girls and the challenges that they face and the opportunities they are missing out on because society thinks they should leave school and their lives are over,” she said.
She added: “The project is helping to ensure that their lives are not over and they can be whatever they want to be with the right support.”
It was very emotional to finally meet the girls that the guild is supporting in Kanyama