Female Head Potters Join 2022 Upskilling Project.

The Up-skilling Program is the maiden project embarked on by Valerie Cares Foundation in June 2022. Five kayayei (head potters) were admitted to the pilot project and has been a transformational experience for each beneficiary. The beneficiaries: Ayisha Adam, Malia Issahaku, Jawadah Dramani, Bintu Alhassan, and Mavis Ayam Asukura, were withdrawn from the harsh “kaya” trade in Accra by the Or Foundation. Subsequently, they were delivered to our pilot program to be trained in make-up artistry as part of their rehabilitation program.

Training sessions were held on the premises of Makeup Ghana and facilitated by four of our able volunteers/educators; Amanda Naayire; CEO of Mandyvylz Beauty & Solis Wipes, Khadijah Mohammed; CEO of Khadijah Adams, Helena Adu; CEO of Makeup by Helena and Brightina Klenam Adedia of Braines Beauty & Makeup co. from June to November 2022.

Though the pilot program has been successful so far, it has not been without peculiar challenges. The first and most impeding among them has been language barrier. While the beneficiaries were very cooperative, at times they needed a translator to help them understand their lessons. Occasionally, family responsibilities would come in their way and distract them, causing them to miss some of their tutorials.

Through this training program, the beneficiaries have acquired new skills and embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-actualization Presently, the beneficiaries are in the second phase of the project; an internship placement with Viola Beauty, Mandy Vylz Beauty & Soaesthetics Makeup after which they will graduate as professional makeup artists. Through conversation, the ladies have expressed how beneficial the lessons in time management, human relations and communications has been to them during their internship.

As we draw closer to the final phase of the project : Integration & subsidized job bookings, we hope they find and pursue their true interests in beauty . We desire to see them become confident and capable business women who will in their own way contribute to the beauty ecosystem in Ghana.