By Matilda Ochich
For many young single mothers, the path to completing an education is often interrupted by structural barriers, societal stigma, and financial constraints. To bridge this gap, a transformative two-day capacity-building workshop was recently held at the Akado Vocational Training Center (VTC) under the Tech for Single Mothers (Tech 4SM) initiative. The event brought together young single mothers from various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Kisumu County, creating a collaborative platform to redefine the landscape of TVET.
The primary objective of the workshop was to equip TVET institutions with the tools and frameworks necessary to reintegrate young single mothers into the education system effectively. Rather than focusing solely on those already enrolled, the project actively seeks to build institutional capacity to capture and welcome back young women who are currently locked out of school. By creating tailored, accessible training programs, vocational centers aim to offer a realistic second chance for these young mothers to secure their livelihoods and build stable futures.
Empathy Through Creative Thinking
The workshop utilized innovative, interactive training methods to foster deep empathy and a clear understanding of the participants’ needs. Heillyn Camacho from Consufe’, Denmark, introduced active learning and design thinking methodologies to the sessions. Using three-dimensional tools, Lego blocks, and metaphorical storytelling exercises under the concept of “From Us to Us,” the participants were encouraged to think creatively and project their realities and future aspirations. This approach allowed facilitators to gather nuanced data on the exact digital competencies the mothers wish to acquire and the societal pressures they face daily.
Voices from the Heart of the Program
The true impact of the capacity-building sessions was best articulated by the participants themselves, who found the space both validating and deeply empowering. Many shared how rare it is to find educational spaces that look at them not as statistics, but as individuals with unique, multi-layered challenges.
The participants shared that “This workshop has shown us that our dreams still matter. Knowing that people are actively working to give us a second chance and actually listening to what we need, like childcare, gives me the confidence to step up”
Others highlighted how the design thinking and digital literacy focus opened up practical perspectives for their future livelihoods, turning feelings of isolation into a shared sense of hope and community.
Human Rights and Institutional Reform
A core theme of the workshop was the dismantling of discrimination within learning institutions. Easter Oketch, a facilitator representing the Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFAO), led sessions focusing on a human-rights-based approach to education. She emphasized that the lived experiences and stories shared by the young mothers during the workshop are crucial to shaping a responsive, gender-transformative curriculum. Furthermore, Oketch highlighted that the practical institutional supports, such as the establishment of safe childcare crèches within county vocational centers, are essential to removing the daily hurdles that prevent single mothers from attending classes.
Complementing this structural perspective, Professor Maureen Olel, the Dean of the School of Education at Maseno University and a key partner in the Tech for SM initiative, shed light on the unique socio-economic vulnerabilities faced by young single mothers. Professor Olel noted that short-term, flexible vocational programs provide an ideal pathway for these women because traditional academic lines can often be too rigid or demanding for someone managing childcare. The initiative aims to blend practical technical trades with holistic training in psychosocial well-being, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, preparing the participants to successfully navigate a changing economy.
A Global Partnership for Local Impact
The success of the Tech 4 SM initiative relies heavily on a robust, international consortium committed to educational equity. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union, the project unites academic institutions, civil society organizations, and vocational training boards across continents to build sustainable educational solutions in Kisumu, Kenya.
The cross-border partnership includes Academic and Global Institutions such as the University of the Aegean, Maseno University, and Consufé, and empowerment advocacy Partners includingEmpower Rwanda, Actio, and the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB).
By focusing on institutional empathy, international cooperation, and practical curriculum updates, the Tech for SM project is laying down a replicable framework for educational inclusivity. The collaborative efforts of these global partners ensure that single mothers are not left behind. Ultimately, the workshop marks a decisive step toward turning vocational training centers into supportive, stigma-free environments where young mothers can thrive alongside their children.
