Seneca project in Tanzania aims to empower adolescent women | MyNews | Seneca Students

Seneca Polytechnic has partnered with Niagara College to support local folk development colleges (FDCs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in Tanzania.

Delivered through Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Empowerment Through Skills Program and funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, the seven-year, $25 million program will be delivered in partnership with Tanzania’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, through the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Folk Development Colleges, which first appeared in Tanzania in 1975, were established to provide access to vocational and general training to support the social and economic development of local, mainly rural communities across the country.

In July, Mary Bantug, International Partnerships Project Manager, Seneca International travelled to Tanzania to connect with partners and stakeholders from the Kondoa and Morogoro regions where she identified and explored priorities and identify trends in their communities. 

For Ms. Bantug, one of the most important aspects of the project is connecting with the local partners in person, as it builds rapport and camaraderie and provides a strong foundation for the work ahead.

“One of my favourite parts of this visit was getting to spend time with one of our NGO partners, Young Strong Mothers Foundation,” Ms. Bantug says. “We learned about the programs and services that the foundation provides and also got to meet some of the girls who participate in the programs. I’m excited to work together and see what the next few years will bring.”

As part of this partnership, Seneca is working with Bigwa and Munguri FDCs and CBOs such as Young Strong Mothers Foundation and Justice in Society for Transformative Change to create and develop short courses that will increase employability amongst graduates. 

“Visiting our stakeholder partners was not done before and I have learned more on various research methods,” says Bernard Sinkamba, Principal, Munguri Folk Development College. “I have also gained more insight on how to engage and connect with stakeholders using friendly language, as I learned from watching methods you were using during the visit to various stakeholders.”

“I have learned how to conduct capacity Assessment for my organization as well as the importance of conducting regular capacity assessments,” says Halifa Ramadhani, Director, Justice in Society for Transformative Change (JUST). “This knowledge will enable me to strengthen my organization.”

The Empowerment through Skills Program aims to increase participation among women and adolescent girls in skills training programs and improve access to business, workplace skills and gender and human rights training in their communities.  

This is Seneca International’s second development project in Tanzania. Visit Seneca International’s web page to learn more.