Vocational Training for Vulnerable Women in Haiti

In December, GHESKIO hosted its first Art Exposition at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince displaying the work of the recent class of trainees in the GHESKIO vocational training center.  When GHESKIO first opened its vocational training center, the main focus was teaching construction trades to assist young adult men in obtaining employment.  The interest was overwhelming and GHESKIO has since expanded the program to include vocational training for many young women.  Some women train in painting, sewing, and pottery to make pieces for re-sale.  Others have trained in furniture design and construction.  Some have trained in hospitality to obtain employment at restaurants and hotels.  In 2013, the training center began recruiting female commercial sex workers who were patients at the GHESKIO health clinic to partake in vocational training.  Young women in Port-au-Prince who are in economic crisis enter commercial sex work to buy food, pay rent, feed their children or younger siblings, or pay off debts incurred to survive. These girls are at extremely high risk for HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, early pregnancy, and subsequent complications. Many have traveled from the country side to the city in hopes of a better future.    

Vocational training provides young women with life skills, job training, and most of all, self-confidence.  Most have dropped out of school and have young children at home.  They need a means of survival.  When a young girl learns a trade – furniture construction, pottery design, hotel front desk service – she begins to see a future for herself.  She gains the economic empowerment to provide for her family and becomes a role model for her children.  

Women train in hospitality and hotel management.

Women train in furniture design and construction.

Furniture, pillows, and pottery designed and made by trainees at the GHESKIO vocational school on display at the Art Exposition at the Karibe Hotel.