Côte d’Ivoire: A New Vocational Training Center Boosts Women’s Empowerment in Tengrela
Tengrela, 18 January 2026 (AIP) – The Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles (NDA) have inaugurated a new vocational training center aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment in Tengrela. The ceremony, held on Sunday as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the congregation’s presence in the locality, brought together several ecclesiastical authorities, including priests and sisters.
Speaking at the event, the provincial leader of the NDA Sisters, Sister Yapo Amélie, traced the origins of the initiative. She recalled that during community visits on 30 December 2021, the Sisters identified a pressing need for a space where young girls and women could acquire essential skills—echoing the mission the congregation began five decades ago. This observation led to the revival and expansion of the Centre Féminin Notre Dame des Apôtres, now fully modernized and operational.
A Growing Demand for Skills Training
The center began its activities in October 2022 with only 12 women, limited by the small size of the initial premises. However, the enthusiasm of the learners and the scale of local needs quickly highlighted the necessity for a larger facility.“Every day, we see in the eyes of these young girls an immense thirst for learning. Some walk several kilometers to attend classes,” Sister Yapo Amélie noted, praising their determination.
Thanks to the support of benefactors, a new, modern training center has been built. It can now accommodate up to 30 students per class and offers a range of programs including cooking, pastry-making, sewing, literacy, and financial management.
Goals for the Women’s Autonomy
The project aims to train 90 young women:
• 30 in sewing over a three‑year cycle
• 60 in cooking and pastry-making over a six‑month cycle
Every three years, the center expects to graduate 90 women equipped with professional certificates and supported toward employment or the creation of income‑generating activities. As one of the first initiatives of its kind in the Tengrela department, the program seeks to improve living conditions, promote women’s autonomy, and contribute to poverty reduction. “This project is a true beacon of hope,” Sister Yapo Amélie affirmed.
A Call for Enrollment and Continued Support
The director of the center, Sister Alberta Blay, encouraged young women to enroll in the training programs to gain autonomy and contribute to household responsibilities alongside their families.
She also appealed to partners and donors to continue supporting the center, emphasizing that they will be involved in monitoring and evaluation to ensure the long‑term success of this promising initiative.