mdoecapinfo@gssweb.org +254 797 805 414 Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Good Shepherd Sisters, P. O. Box 26076 Kendong Rd, Nairobi

Contact Info

Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Good Shepherd Sisters, P. O. Box 26076 Kendong Rd, Nairobi +254 797 805 414 mdoecapinfo@gssweb.org

GSP ewc

Program Background

Guided by its mission and goals, the Euphrasia Women Centre (EWC) has been implementing projects aimed at women, children, and youth empowerment in Ngong. An assessment of status of projects implementation was conducted in November 2020. The findings indicated that the ongoing work by EWC is positively touching many families. EWC’s work is highly recognized and appreciated by the women, youth and children in the communities of Gicagi, Mathare, Nalepo, Bondeni and Kahara. Other areas reached by EWC activities include Kibiko, Matasia, Olkeri and Oloolua. Over the years, the beneficiary communities have built vital rapport and trust with the Sisters. The Centre leadership has cultivated a relationship with community leadership leading into consultative processes in planning and implementation of project activities. 

The beneficiaries and the government officers who participated in the project assessment corroborated the work and achievements by the Sisters done over the years. They noted that EWC was among the organizations who have consistently empowering women, children, and youth. 9 worked with their communities with intention to shore up livelihoods of the most vulnerable from the informal settlements in Ngong town. Through its technical training centre, EWC has offered training in practical courses contributing to youth capacity development and improved their employability chances. About 2,500 girls and women have been trained under the training programme and acquired skills in sewing, knitting, weaving, while making items such as necklaces, baskets, bags, toys, cards, tablecloths, table mats, aprons and church vestments. In 2018 the training centre started to admit young men as well. Currently the EWC has expanded the areas of training and offers courses in computer studies, tailoring and dressmaking, catering and hairdressing and beauty.

Projects in the programme

EWC – Bead Work Photo 1
EWC- Vocational Training Photo 2
EWC- Vocational Training Photo 3
EWC- Vocational Training Photo 4
EWC- Vocational Training Photo 5
EWC- Vocational Training Photo
Technical Training Centre
Through its technical training centre, EWC has offered training in practical courses contributing to youth capacity development and improved their employability chances. About 2,500 girls and women have been trained under the training programme and acquired skills in sewing, knitting, weaving, while making items such as necklaces, baskets, bags, toys, cards, tablecloths, table mats, aprons and church vestments. In 2018 the training centre started to admit young men as well. Currently the EWC has expanded the areas of training and offers courses in computer studies, tailoring and dressmaking, catering and hairdressing and beauty
EWC operates income generating enterprises with aim of raising supplementary revenue to funds its community empowerment programmes. The projects that generate incomes are the Training Centre, Euphrasia empowerment enterprise (garment making), bakery, and hair dressing & beauty services. The Euphrasia Empowerment Enterprise (garment making) is operated from a rented premise in South B Shopping Center, Nairobi, where a workshop and display room have been set up. The workshops are well equipped for the work and some of the former beneficiaries of EWC have been employed in this program and are engaged in production of tailored items. The items produced under this project include bags, tablecloths, table mats, embroidered materials such as school and company logos, curtains and variety of other items which are customized, church vestments, aprons, toys, African wear, and caps. The Bakery center bakes cakes and does outside catering on order from clients. the Hair Dressing provides hairdressing and beaty services to the public.
The women social economic empowerment programmes through self-help groups stands out as an initiative that was received well and supported hundreds of women and men members of the 11 self-help groups. The EWC provides seed capital based on set criteria. Beneficiary members have testified of household livelihoods turnaround as a result of groups increased incomes. The groups enable the members to make savings, borrow for small business start-ups and expansions. The groups have also provided platforms for learning and experience sharing. The adult education programme has complemented well the initiatives by EWC as it has opened up opportunities for those that have gone through the programme. EWC runs a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) school. The TVET training centre equips mostly the youth with entrepreneurial and technical skills which enhances their employability, whether self or those seeking job opportunities. Scholarship opportunities are given to very needy students.