Iano and Alassana spend their morning in computer literacy classes at a WAVS vocational school in West Africa. After their class, they both walk down the street to a local high school. They travel there for different purposes: one to attend and the other to teach. But they both need to learn how to use […]
Category Archives: Graduate Stories
11
Jul
Jul
In Guinea-Bissau (one of smallest and poorest countries in West Africa), access to clean water is hard to come by – let alone access to technology. Here are 8 facts about computer literacy and technology in West Africa – and what we can do to help. Facts about technology access 1. Only 23% of the […]
Graduate Stories
Four examples of how vocational schools use practical job skills training to help young people in West Africa
10
Jun
Jun
West African Vocational Schools has equipped more than 1,400 young people with life-changing job skills through practical training programs at locally-led vocational schools. After completing their courses, more than three out of four graduates find employment, start their own business, or continue with their studies. And most of them see a significant increase in their […]
Graduate Stories, Welding
‘None of us are professors, secretaries or doctors – but I thank God for the profession he’s given us.’
20
May
May
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 […]
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!” […]
13
Dec
Dec
Nilton, a WAVS School Welding Graduate, is now ready to open his own shop. For seven years, Nilton Gomes worked as an apprentice at a small welding shop. But he was mostly given odd-jobs and didn’t receive much real training. At this rate, Nilton knew he would never be ready to start his own shop. So in October 2016, […]
Graduate Stories, Welding
Rumario: To provide for his ailing uncle and 8 others in his family, this young man became a welder.
24
May
May
How learning welding skills can provide for a whole family in West Africa Rumario started out welding like most other young people in Guinea-Bissau who want to learn a trade skill: He found someone who’s already working, and watched and learned. In West Africa, these informal internships are common. But they have many shortcomings, including […]
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