Overview

This project follows on from a successful initial business enterprise project in embroidery/sewing. Focussing on block-making (making bricks), this project will train 100 students per year in block-making construction and support 5 enterprise staff in a skill that has been identified as much needed in the Beira community. Through our partner’s Business Incubation Hub, employment and skills training will be provided for trainees to start small/medium enterprises. This project is designed to be self-sustaining so that after 3 years it will be fully self- supporting through its profits.

Why support this

Mozambique has extremely high unemployment and chronic skills shortages due to lack of education and training opportunities for young people and very low rates of school education completion. Given the damage that Cyclone Idai caused to 90% of Beira, the second largest city, in 2019, a block-making enterprise is ideal for the context, in which quality, affordable bricks and trained construction labourers are in high demand. The spread of COVID has further crippled the economy and driven more people into extreme poverty, adding to the urgent need for vocational training opportunities that will equip and empower young people for gainful employment and financial independence.

Budget

$30,000 for year 1 of a 3yr project. Total budget $90,000.

Expected Life Change

• Disadvantaged youth empowered with resilient construction and block-making training giving them the skills to climb out of poverty
• A more sustainable business means profits can be reinvested to provide economic opportunities for future cohorts of students and stimulate local economic growth to benefit the wider community
• Community members able to access quality, low-cost bricks for construction of houses, providing a home and security