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Projects overview
Thusanang runs skills training courses for unemployed rural women which focus on quality, and which include business skills as a vital component.
Training is offered in skills ranging from knitting and sewing to block making, embroidery and baking. This gives the participants a range of choices and ensures that one or two products do not flood the local market.
Thusanang focuses on much more than skills training and participants receive skills’ training that is applicable to the real world of work. Women develop the self-confidence to begin their own businesses or seek employment, in the belief that they can achieve anything that they put their minds to.
With over twenty years of experience, Thusanang does not believe in “quick fixes” projects are run independently by their own elected committees, but Thusanang staff are always on hand to assist with quality control, bookkeeping and marketing where needed.
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Aims and Objectives
To address the plight of rural unemployed (specifically women), and to offer relevant skills training together with business skills training to empower rural people to gain employment or to become self-employed.
To be a holistic integrated community reference where business courses, educare, confidence building and motivational programmes are run in conjunction with skills training courses such as knitting, sewing, candle-making, upholstery, block-making, welding, vegetable gardening, silk-screening, bread-baking and more. Products are marketed and income generated.
To network and provide training for other non-governmental and community based organizations, and to provide an example that can be replicated by other organizations.
To work with government departments and to act as a catalyst for the development of other employment creation projects.
Thusanang’s holistic approach means that the project addresses the factors that contribute towards ill health, poor living conditions, crime, violence, low educational levels and poverty. Through education, training and job creation, Thusanang fosters entrepreneurship. |
Training
Thusanang is able to provide training in a range of different skills from baking, catering, and hand embroidery to welding, building, gardening and much more.
Thanks to partnerships with other training providers, Thusanang is able to offer any kind of training programme individuals require.
As Thusanang’s trainers come from the community they serve, they have insight into the difficulties faced by the trainees, and are able to train in a first language environment.
Thusanang has the infrastructure and equipment for centre based training as well as practical training in a working environment throughout the Free State Province, the North West Province, Gauteng and beyond. |
Mentorship and Aftercare
After the individual has either been placed in a formal or informal sector job, or has begun their own business - Thusanang’s after care activities include among others:
Workplace training programmes and practical assistance
Linking small businesses with local markets and assistance with tenders
Life skills assistance – HIV/AIDS, ownership workshops, self-esteem, motivational issues, etc.
Nutrition education and the establishment of environmentally friendly vegetable gardens
Business skills assistance – practical workplace business skills training
Productivity, quality control and standardization assistance
Accessing markets both local and international
Market research, design assistance and product development
Networking assistance and linkages with government structures
Assistance with accessing funds for start-up equipment and materials for small businesses
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