Published Thu, Mar 06, 2025
Written by Dana Kaltenberger
In February, EduNations had the privilege of hosting Dawn Malcolm, director and CEO of Lighting The Path, at our schools in Sierra Leone. Dawn’s visit marked a significant step forward in a new partnership between EduNations and Lighting The Path, a global organization dedicated to “sharing Christ, empowering people, and changing lives.” With a background in humanitarian work in countries like Burkina Faso and Ghana, Dawn brought a wealth of experience to Sierra Leone, where she helped establish skills training for our students.
This partnership builds on the foundation of support Lighting The Path has already provided, including the distribution of feminine sanitary kits to our students. However, the recent visit allowed us to explore deeper opportunities, particularly in vocational and skills training, which have the potential to transform the lives of our students and their communities.
During her visit, Dawn worked directly with our students in hands-on workshops focused on tailoring and crafting. As we look ahead, EduNations is excited to deepen this partnership and continue working together to empower students with practical skills that lead to self-reliance and long-term life transformation.
A Focus on Practical Skills: Tailoring, Soap Making, and Crafting
Skills training is essential for creating opportunities that enable individuals to achieve financial independence and contribute to their local economies. At EduNations, we recognize that teaching practical crafts like tailoring, soap making, and handcrafting is key to equipping students with the tools they need to build a better future.
The following are some of the skills students learned during Dawn Malcom’s visit:
Tailoring: Students learned how to design, cut, sew, and repair clothes, a valuable skill in high demand as clothing is a necessity. Tailoring not only allows students to create custom garments but also opens doors to entrepreneurship in the fashion and garment industries. With proper training, students can start their own tailoring businesses or secure employment in established enterprises.
Soap Making: This training focused on producing handmade soaps, an essential product for hygiene. Students were taught how to create various types of soaps, which can be sold in local and international markets. Soap making empowers students to create a sustainable business in a field where demand is constant.
Hand Band Making: Crafting hand bands using beads, threads, and other materials is an art form that is particularly popular among artisans. Students learned to create fashionable accessories that can be sold in markets, boutiques, or online platforms, providing them with another avenue for entrepreneurship.
Headscarf Making: Students were also introduced to the skill of sewing headscarves (head capes), which involves fabric selection, design, and basic sewing techniques. This practical skill can be used for personal needs or as a business opportunity to sell headscarves in local markets.
Making Sanitary Kits: Students were trained to make reusable sanitary kits, which are crucial for menstrual hygiene, especially in communities with limited access to disposable products. These kits not only promote health and sustainability but also empower girls to stay in school, addressing a major challenge for girls in developing countries.
Transformative Impact on EduNations Students
The introduction of skills training at EduNations has the potential to transform students’ lives in profound ways. By learning practical crafts like tailoring, soap making, and sanitary kit production, students can create income-generating opportunities for themselves and their families.
Tailoring enables students to make and sell clothes, school uniforms, and headscarves. Soap making and hand band production offer opportunities for small business ventures, helping students become self-reliant. Making reusable sanitary kits directly addresses menstrual hygiene challenges, allowing girls to stay in school, while locally produced soap promotes hygiene and reduces illness in the community.
One student, Sonita Koroma, shared her experience:
“Before I learned how to make sanitary kits and headscarves, I felt limited in what I could do. But now, I can not only take care of myself but also help other girls in my community stay in school. This training has given me confidence, and I’m proud to be able to create something useful for myself, my family, and others.” – Sonita Koroma, EduNations Student.
Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Skills Training
Integrating skills training into EduNations’ programs provides students with life-changing abilities that enable them to become self-reliant, support their families, and improve their communities. These skills are not just tools for personal growth; they contribute to the overall economic well-being of entire communities, breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.
As EduNations continues to strengthen its partnership with Lighting The Path, we remain committed to equipping our students with the skills they need to thrive and make a lasting impact in their communities. Together, we are empowering students, fostering economic growth, and transforming lives—one skill at a time.
