Varsity to train slum women entrepreneurs

By Luke Anami

A private university will offer training for women traders in Nairobi slums.

Catholic University of Eastern Africa’s (CUEA) training will equip women in Kibera and Mathare slums with entrepreneurship skills.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the University also announced a scholarship programme where needy students are considered each academic year.

"We admit women who cannot distinguish between capital for business and for their own use for a year long programme," Professor John Maviiri, the Vice Chancellor said.

"Admission is skilled-based. The course targets women as young as 18 years to over 60 years."

The courses include business planning, cashbook maintenance, marketing and information technology especially Internet and e-mail.

The training is being offered at the university once a month for a year. Members who graduate are those who will have attended more than six sessions.

The one year training will be undertaken by the University’s faculty of Commerce and Centre for Social Justice and Ethics.

"The course is part of the CSR policies of the university to economically empower women through education rather than giving money handouts," Maviiri told The Standard.

The don noted that since its inception a year ago, the programme has now been incorporated in the University’s curricula where disadvantaged women can access university education.

"One of the groups that graduated recently is the Mathare Women Entrepreneurship Group who were trained in the generation of business ideas, group dynamics, marketing and information and technology," he said.

Enhance business

The Mathare Women Entrepreneurship Group run small businesses which are individually owned but have a joint business for marketing baskets.

To enhance their business, particularly making quality baskets and marketing, the University and the Africa Circle of Hope Foundation organisation based in Chicago, United States, begun the training where women attend lessons one a month.

The university offers transport for the women from Mathare and Kibera slums to the University and back.

CUEA is founded on the philosophy of the Catholic Higher Education which stresses free search for the whole truth about nature, humanity and God.

It promotes exploration of every path of knowledge, and is conscious of being preceded by Him who is "The Way, the Truth and the Life."

Its conviction is that the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ enables human beings to find meaning in life.