Mary Help College is a vocational training school located in Zway, managed by the Salesian Sisters – Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and inspired by the Salesian educational tradition, which places each young person and their potential at the centre. Here, girls and boys from vulnerable backgrounds receive practical and hands-on education designed to help them build a dignified future. The college is recognised as a campus of the Ethiopian Catholic University (ECUSTA) and currently offers regular programs in Fashion Design and Information Technology. Results speak clearly: over 90% of graduates find employment or start their own business.
This project originates from the need to expand the college’s educational offer. Demand for vocational training is rapidly increasing, especially in fields such as office administration, accounting, nursing, pharmacy assistance, and caregiving. However, the current facilities do not allow for the activation of new courses or the admission of a larger number of students. In a city like Zway, where job opportunities exist but the necessary skills are often lacking, this expansion is essential to provide young people — especially girls — with qualified and accessible education.
In addition to training activities, the project includes the construction of a two-storey building, prepared for a future third floor, with classrooms and laboratories equipped for both theoretical and practical learning. The aim is to train around 200 young people every year, prioritising women and students from disadvantaged families. The project also includes awareness and guidance initiatives: information sessions, enrolment support, and mentoring programs. The idea is to accompany each student on their personal journey, offering not only skills, but also confidence, motivation, and the tools needed to enter the job market.
Through this initiative, Mary Help College will continue to be a point of reference for the community of Zway, helping to reduce unemployment, counter irregular migration, and promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
In Zway, the Nuovo Fiore in Africa Foundation supports schools and training programs managed by Salesians and Salesian Sisters, promoting education and skills development for young people. The projects in Dida and Hobe are coordinated by the Salesians of the Zway Mission.
Direct beneficiaries:
Around 200 students per year — at least 70% young women — enrolled in the new vocational programs.
Indirect beneficiaries: around 850
Families of the students, local businesses benefiting from qualified personnel, and the wider community of Zway and surrounding areas, thanks to reduced unemployment and a stronger social and economic fabric.
Zway is a town in the Oromia region, located on the shores of the lake with the same name, and home to approximately 60,000 people. The local economy is driven by fishing, agriculture, and small trades that enliven the markets and sustain livelihoods. Despite the presence of natural resources, poverty remains widespread, and many families struggle to support their children’s education. Schools face overcrowded classrooms, limited infrastructure, and a lack of adequate learning materials, resulting in a high number of children who do not complete primary education.
Nevertheless, Zway retains a vibrant social and cultural identity, rooted in community cooperation and the resilience of families — a strong foundation to build new educational and social opportunities.
With the goal of supporting basic education and vocational training, the Foundation invests in infrastructure and initiatives addressing educational challenges such as the empowerment of girls and women.
Each project is developed in collaboration with local communities and aims to promote education, personal growth, and sustainable development.
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The Nuovo Fiore in Africa Foundation is recognized as a public utility organization, registered with the Federal Supervisory Authority, and all donations made are tax-deductible.
