Ten young women from Sexaxa, Matlapana, Gxhabara, Moet and Sedie wards in Maun have received sponsorships to study Hospitality Operations and Tourism certificate courses under the ‘Young Girl Rise project.’
The sponsorship, from Career Dreams Centre is to the tune of P140 000 through a partnership between the centre and Women Against Rape (WAR).
WAR identified the beneficiaries to complete the 6-month course. Young Girls Rise is an empowerment programme designed to lift 10 young women out of a spiral of disadvantage into the world of work.
WAR Human Resources Officer, Neo Molefe said they play a coordinating and facilitate the assessment of the 10 ladies for the course and also find other partnerships with different companies. She highlighted that they also managed to get partnerships with Travel for Impact, Kwando Safaris and Khwai Private Reserve.
Travel for Impact helps with transportation for the students every month, Kwando Safaris bought uniforms while Khwai Private Reserve contributed towards buying shoes for the students.
She noted that the main objective of this initiative is to empower and uplift the students for them to play a meaningful role in society by venturing into businesses and tourism sector related businesses. Meanwhile, one of the students from Sexaxa Village, Thusano Mbwe appreciated the opportunity that will change her life for the better.
She said the course with prepare her for her business idea of being a Hotel or Lodge owner one day adding that she will also start a catering business after completion of the course.
Career Dreams Centre Director, Kenneth Karanja said they choose the course because it provides a sheer endless amount of career opportunities. He explained that the course prepares them for a career as travel and tourism specialists in any tour operator, hotel, and lodge or travel establishment.
“They will learn about vacation packages, reservation systems, key tourist destinations worldwide and more to enable them to work for travel agency, airline, and corporate travel services or as tour guide,” Karanja elaborated.
Having started the course in May this year the students have now started their practical works in which they had two weeks experience at Rivernest Lodge and another two weeks at Maun Cresta Hotel.
Karanja indicated that the industry also welcomes people with lower school qualification and enables them to work their way up. He highlighted that most of these young girls are Junior Certificate holders who didn’t made it to Cambridge as some had dropped out of school and were roaming the streets doing nothing therefore the initiative will do them good.
Karanja said the initiative date back in 2009 when they stated the school and up to date they have sponsored more than 30 students. He added that the school has sponsored 18 students from different places before Covid 19.
