Carpentry

The project to establish a carpentry school in Kikambala village, Kilifi District, is a promising solution to reduce existing problems in vocational training in the region.

Construction work began on March 2, 2015, and the foundation of the building has been completed.

We're planning to set up a new department where young people can complete a carpentry apprenticeship. Plans for the new building are already in place, and some machines that were provided to us free of charge are already in place. What's still missing are small woodworking tools.

The total cost of this project is approximately CHF 32,000. Funding is not yet secured, and we therefore urgently need further sponsorship. We expect that once the financing is secured, construction can be completed within 12 months. As always, the sustainability of such a project is our top priority, and we want to take a leadership role and create positive incentives for the region.

Please support us in building a carpentry workshop with apprenticeships for young people!

Project manager

• The contact person and project manager is Ms. Grene Schait-Maleko, president of the "Kinder in Kenia" association. Ms. Schait-Maleko was born in Kenya and has also lived and worked there. She knows the local language, the mentality, and the concerns of the people, and also understands how the administration and politics work. This background knowledge greatly facilitates the planning and implementation of the projects.
• The association "Kinder in Kenia" was founded in 1995 and is officially registered in both Basel-Stadt and Kenya. The association's goal is to improve nutrition and health among the population in the village of Kikambala, Kenya. The association offers help for self-help. Further information about the association can be found at www.kinderinkenia.org.

Initial situation

In Kenya, the majority of the population outside of urban centers has no opportunity for vocational training. Without training, young people cannot find qualified work and struggle to support themselves and their families. Unemployment is high in Kilifi District. The main prerequisite for finding work is a good education, and this is where the project comes in. The "Children in Kenya" association has built a training center in the village of Kikambala. The training center currently includes a tailoring workshop, sustainable agriculture, a language school, and management and computer courses. New plans include the construction and maintenance of a carpentry workshop so that young people can pursue carpentry apprenticeships. The foundations of the carpentry workshop were built in 2015, and some machinery is already in place. What is missing is money for the remaining house construction and for tools, as well as for the maintenance of the school until 2022.

Project goals, target groups and concrete benefits

The aim of the project is to establish a carpentry school at the Happy Life training center in Kikambala. Starting in 2020, the carpentry school will offer 20 young people the opportunity to learn the carpentry trade over a two-year period.

The apprentices are trained in the fields of furniture carpentry, interior design and window construction.

Target groups

The project aims to reach young people from the Kikambala district.

By improving education, not only the young people themselves benefit, but also their families and the entire village population. The project offers those affected support for self-help and thus contributes to sustainable development.