In 2024, in Zway, we launched a project in collaboration with the Salesian Sisters aimed at supporting women’s economic empowerment through vocational education. The initiative targets girls and young women who have dropped out of school, offering short courses in tailoring and computer skills, complemented by soft skills and entrepreneurship modules to foster access to employment and pathways toward autonomy and self-employment.
The courses, which began in May 2024, will involve around 140 beneficiaries in the first year alone. The program is designed to become self-sustaining through a system that includes a minimal contribution from participants and the development of a small garment production unit, intended to generate income and employment opportunities.
In the Oromia region — where female youth unemployment exceeds 35% and many girls are excluded from education due to poverty, early marriage and lack of opportunities (World Bank, 2022; UN Women, 2023) — this project represents a concrete response to the area’s social and economic challenges.
The intervention will have a direct impact on 140 young women and, indirectly, on thousands of people including families, local communities and teachers involved in the training activities. Beyond technical skills, the program aims to strengthen self-confidence and awareness of rights, helping to reshape the role of women within their community.
Through this initiative, we aim not only to improve women’s access to employment, but also to contribute to a sustainable development model based on equal opportunities, dignity and autonomy.
Empowering women means providing tools and opportunities to strengthen autonomy, skills, and active participation in society. Through training and concrete support, we help women become key drivers of change within their communities.
Direct beneficiaries: 1,870
Indirect beneficiaries: 10,800
Zway is a city in the Oromia region, located on the shores of the lake of the same name, with a population of around 60,000 people. The local community relies mainly on fishing, agriculture, and small trade — activities that keep local markets alive and support the area’s economy.
Despite these natural resources, poverty remains widespread, and many families cannot afford to ensure continuous schooling for their children. Schools struggle with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, and limited learning materials, resulting in many students not completing even primary education.
Still, Zway maintains strong social and cultural vitality, expressed through community cooperation and family resilience — elements that represent an important potential for developing 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.
