Ten residents of the Mater Domini Home have been learning new skills at the Claremont Library through its Women’s Information Skills Empowerment (Wise) training programme, which wrapped up in the first week of June.
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‘The idea for this programme was to teach women skills that they could walk away with and use in the real world,’ Assistant Librarian Nuhaa Portland told the Southern Suburbs Tatler.
Participants in the programme were shown how to find their way around the library and trained in digital literacy, essay writing, basic computer skills and how to do research and put a CV together. In addition, they were registered on the City’s jobs database.
In the final week of the course, author Samantha Adams spoke to the students about her book, Warrior Outside, Chaos Within, describing her own experiences of abuse.
‘It was a good experience engaging with the women and sharing my story,’ said Adams.
Mater Domini chairperson Bernadette Ross said the training had been beneficial for the women.
‘Even when they leave Mater Domini, they will be able to use these skills, go to a local library and job hunt,’ said Ross.
Annasuena Malebo, a former Mater Domini resident, participated in the course last year and for the past six months she has been working in a call centre.
‘I have learnt computer skills before, though this was a refresher, and I learned skills in updating my CV, which I used to apply for my current job,’ said Malebo.
Malebo has stated that staying at Mater Domini had taught her discipline, obedience and how to care for others.
‘I still call the home if I need any advice on life and motherhood,’ said Malebo.
There are many ways you can support residents at Mater Domini. Find out more here.
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