Zimbabwean female welder and single mother, Ashley Farakeza is defying the odds and empowering young girls in her community with the help of the USAID-funded Mavambo Children Vana initiative. The 23-year-old welder with no formal education says his three-year-old son is her inspiration.
According to UNESCO, 11 million girls are in danger of not returning to school after the epidemic interrupted their education. Despite the inability of schools to offer courses, creative learning approaches such as distance and online education evolved. Yet, it was not an equitable reality for marginalized socioeconomic groups, particularly girls and women, and notably those living in poverty and rural regions.
The Covid-19 epidemic, on the other hand, has accelerated generational transitions as more women enter historically male-dominated sectors.
In Harare, Zimbabwe, women like Ashley Farakeza, 23, confront a variety of impediments to education, including poverty, child marriage, and traditional gender norms. In reality, child marriage is still common in Zimbabwe, with one out of every three women marrying before the age of 18.
“I did my O levels at Dzivarasekwa High 1 School. I failed but I wanted to write again. Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue because the money wasn’t there,” she said.
Farakeza, who was born and reared in Dzivarasekwa, Harare, did not acquire a formal education because her parents could not afford to pay her school fees, but she received assistance through the USAID-funded Mavambo Children Vana initiative.
The overarching purpose of the project, which is run by AIDS Counselling Trust and its sub-partner, Mavambo Orphan Care, is to minimize the impact of HIV and Aids on Zimbabwe’s vulnerable children by improving the sustainability of care and support services for orphans and vulnerable children.
Farakeza was given the opportunity to participate in a welding apprenticeship, which is a program in which an individual works with a professional welder to develop essential skills.
The professional welder instructs, supervises, and mentors their apprentice, who learns how to observe safety procedures, operate welding equipment, interpret blueprints, and practice welding methods.
“I couldn’t believe it when they approached me. But at that moment I knew I could still do something meaningful with my life,” she said. “It was difficult at first, but with time it all became easier. Right now I can tell you that I enjoy what I do,” she continued.
She hasn’t looked back since. She began her six-month training in May 2021 and graduated in November 2021. Misheck Muzondo of Window House Welders gave her a job once she graduated, and she has worked there since.
“If only I could get money for fees or to get my own equipment, it would make it easier for me to excel,” said Farakeza. She also wants to serve as a role model, and motivate the girls in her community to stay in school and to pursue their dreams.
“I really love motivating young girls and show them that there’s no men’s job. With enough effort and sacrifice, anyone can get any skill and be good at it,” she said, thanking the AIDS Counselling Trust and Mavambo Orphan Care for giving young women like her a chance at life.
“All this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the programme and Window House Welders who keep encouraging us to get skills that help prevent a lot of girls and young women to believe in themselves and not indulge in drugs or dropping out of school.”
She can now make window and door frames, as well as paint and grind. She plans to retake her O levels, attend college, and study boiler making at one of Zimbabwe’s engineering colleges in the future. She also hopes to one day create her own workshop.
Unfortunately, finance has remained a barrier. She is a single mother with a three-year-old son who she credits for keeping her going.
