Young engineering graduate takes up the challenge to make a difference in Alex
ALEXANDRA -– Young graduate takes it upon herself to skill the community of Alexandra.
For Greenstone resident Mache van Aswegen, Mandela Day and the icon’s 100th birthday celebration meant looking for an opportunity to build some sustainable skills among the people of Alexandra.
The 24-year-old engineering graduate looked around and decided to partner with an organisation already active in Alex, Rays of Hope. Through the partnership, 22 people, including some women, were trained in bricklaying and plastering, and another 25 women were trained in sewing.
Read: Alex girl awarded bursary to pursue electrical engineering
These skills will equip these people to go out and find employment. When asked why bricklaying and sewing were the skills selected, Van Aswegen said bricklaying would hopefully enable the men to find work with some of the construction projects that she sees from her office window underway in the Modderfontein and Greenstone areas.
For her, the sewing skills were more personal as she had been looking for someone to sew for her and struggled to find a woman with suitable skills but now she has more than 20 to choose from.
Read: Sasol bursary recipients get ready for a stellar 2018 academic year
For all of the people trained, this opportunity is life-changing. Mishak Matshaba, who did the bricklaying and plastering course said, “I am very excited because I can now build my home. I know what tools I need and how to ensure the walls are straight.
The Rays of Hope project will continue with ongoing initiatives including life skills, small business skills and further training opportunities, so other companies can copy the model and invest in the people of Alex like Van Aswegen did..
Details: Thando Duma 011 784 6214; info@RaysOfHope.co.za
