Workaid will provide tools to vocational training projects in prisons, to enable prisoners to learn skills they need to earn a living and stop re-offending. Ex-offenders in Zambia are often unwelcome in their villages so frequently re-offend out of necessity - we aim to help break this cycle.
Zambia still has over 20,000 inmates in 76 overcrowded prisons, mostly unskilled. On leaving prison they are often ostracised by their home communities, do not have the financial means to survive or the skills to find work. As such, re-offending is often driven by necessity. Zambia has made strides in reducing recidivism rates (2nd best in Africa after Uganda) following government decision to emphasise restoration rather than punishment, and Workaid wants to continue to support this.
In 2013 we started supporting Zambia NGOs with tools for vocational training projects for prisoners. We want to focus most of the next two containers we send on projects focused on current and ex-offenders, having seen the difference it makes. The projects we support provide recognised TEVETA certificated courses. 450 people have so far received this qualification after using Workaid items and with Big Give funds we will be able to significantly increase this impact.