Training female car mechanics in Nairobi slum

Project Report | Nov 8, 2022
Smashing gender bias and driving change in this male dominated field

By Peninah Nthenya | Founder and manager of Safe Spaces

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

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