Training female car mechanics in Nairobi slum

Dear all great loyal supporters of driving change for girls in the slums of Nairobi,

It is not just about achieving a very useful and wanted diploma or certifcate in automechanics that Safe Spaces is achieving in this project. It is so much more than that. Safe Spaces Female auto mechanics are smashing gender bias and driving change in this male dominated field. They have influenced change in attitude of men and women in the community in embracing this trade as any other life changing opportunity and work for all genders. They are smart, independent and supporting their families and mentoring other girls with this ambition. Nothing less.

In the past 6 months all the certificate and diploma girls continue their classes as usual. The garage where they attend their classes sourced more space for the new 2022 girls due to Corona safety.  The certificate girls and diploma girls are now able to study together from July 2022. We provide safety boots, overalls, masks and sanitizers and basic tools for the girls. We also cater for transport and meals for the girls during their 2 year study.

The alumni girls from recent years mentor the new girls once a week. They discuss topics that are omnipresent that week, share experiences, help them throught difficult times, bringing perspective into the situation, and most important, motivating the girsl to pursue this path.

This way we are building a legacy of women in auto mechanics in Kenya. Thank your for being part of our legacy. And also, by building our own garage making it possible for us to driving change and building this legacy even further in an even more sustainable way.

 Wishing you all the best and thanking you from the bottom of our hearts for your ongoing support,

Peninah Nthenya

Karibu,

"I want a girl to fix my car, because girls are as meticulously dedicated to fix my cars as if they are taking care of their make up." When we started the certificate course for auto mechanics, there were many prejudices when it came to girls ans cars. It is fair to say that years later, the contrary is now reality. Girls and young women are cheered for their great skills, knowledge and dedication to repair cars.

This encourages us to start a social entreprise, a car garage, where young skilled women repair cars for the community. Where they can be educated, do internships and maybe have a job. All of the women who fullfil their course find a job in the car industry in Kenya. They are highly valued and quickly hired.

In their free time they come back to Safe Spaces as role models and mentors for the girls. Each one, teach one is our motto. Girls help each other facing challenges and overcoming them with solutions within their reach. Step by step getting towards their goal, a financially independent life outside the slums with a job they love.

In the past 6 months, 10 girls have started their new certificate course and are doing very well. The other 20 girls in the second year are slowly moving towards their final exams and will be looking for a job after 2022.

Thank you for supporting Safe Spaces and these girls in living the life they wish for in future and creating new role models at the same time,

Peninah Nthenya