Cirilo grew up in a country where most people live on less than $2 a day. As a kid, he dreamed about becoming a doctor or lawyer. With a career like that, he thought, he’d leave his life of poverty behind. Now as an adult, Cirilo shows up to work every day ready to direct […]
20
Apr
Apr
A new way for you to equip young West Africans with job skills every month. We live in difficult and uncertain times. Here at home, each of us is making daily sacrifices to care for our families and loved ones. And all around the world, people face the same fears and unknowns. Perhaps never before has the world been more […]
19
Mar
Mar
For the latest number of cases in Guinea-Bissau click here. June 26, 2020: One hundred days. That is how long Guinea-Bissau has now been under a state of emergency and shelter in place. And the state of emergency has now been extended through July 25. Under the state of emergency, there are restricted hours for […]
17
Mar
Mar
An American nonprofit. A government ministry in a tiny country in West Africa. A grant funded by the government of Japan. All of these organizations came together last month to make something special happen: Launch a new vocational school campus that will equip hundreds of young women and men with life-changing job skills. On February […]
29
Sep
Sep
Since opening its first campus in rural West Africa, the WAVS School has trained more than 1,000 students. Now, for the first time in 13 years, the school is expanding. Welcome to the Bissau Campus. How do you and I help create a world where everyone has the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families? We […]
Graduate Stories, Welding
How vocational training helped this welder grow his business in West Africa
08
Apr
Apr
Ciro (right) and his former apprentice, Nilton (left), smile as they show off their welding workshop in West Africa. Ciro attended the WAVS Vocational School so he could grow his business and provide for four orphaned children. For years, Ciro Gomes earned a meager living as an auto body repairman — patching up old cars […]
Graduate Stories, Welding
To escape poverty, this West African trained at a vocational school to become a welder
04
Apr
Apr
How job-skills training is a long-term solution to poverty How do you help a young man like Sergio, who grew up in one of the world’s poorest countries? Handouts like free food and clothing are quick and easy ways to give to the poor. But they also create dependency and aren’t long-term solutions to poverty. […]
Graduate Stories, Welding
A vocational school graduate shows that overcoming poverty is complicated, but not impossible
04
Apr
Apr
After graduating from the WAVS Vocational School’s welding program, Erickson Sanhá was ready to set up his own shop. But without start-up capital, how would he buy tools and supplies? And without a power grid in town, where would he get electricity and space to work? And without business experience, how would he know how […]
29
Mar
Mar
How Vasco’s training at the WAVS School is helping him become one of Guinea-Bissau’s future leaders Poverty. Corruption. Government dysfunction. The woes of West Africa add up. But when you meet Vasco Iala, suddenly the future doesn’t seem so bleak. Ask Vasco how he’s doing and he’ll give you the same answer every time: “Fantastic!” […]
26
Mar
Mar
Editor’s Note: Meet Gus. He’s a big, red, fuzzy, stuffed bug with his own Instagram following. For the last few years, he’s worked at the WAVS office in Fresno. Why do we keep him around? Probably because he always has a smile on his face. Earlier this year, we decided that it was time for […]
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