By Nyasha Dube, Zvishavane
Young people with special needs often face a range of challenges when trying to penetrate the job market.
From discrimination to lack of access to training and opportunities, it can be difficult for them to be employed and make use of their unique skills and abilities.
Oscar Rusere (20) from Mazvihwa in Zvishavane says his journey has not been easy.
Because of speech impairment, it was a challenge for him to succeed in mainstream schools as such the highest education level he reached was grade seven.
“The challenge was that it took me longer to be able to speak and I could not produce audible sound. This resulted in me staying longer in primary school and I only finished grade secen when I was eighteen years old,” said Rusere in an interview.
According to UNICEF, youth with disabilities are among the most marginalized and poorest of the world’s youth population and are more likely to face severe social, economic, and civic disparities as compared with those without disabilities, even in developed countries.
For many young people with disabilities, exclusion, isolation, and abuse as well as lack of educational and economic opportunities are daily experiences.
When asked how he ended up at Shekinah Glory skills training facility in Zvishavane, Oscar said it was a miracle.
“I never imagined that I would be able to work with my own hands and be good at anything. I came here and I was interviewed for a carpentry course. I did not think I would be able to do it but I thank God for people who supported me,” said Oscar.
Having been established in 2022, Shekinah Glory skills training centre in Chirere, Zvishavane under Chief Masunda has so far trained three intakes with the latest having graduated last week.
The centre trains young people aged 16 to 24 on various skills such as carpentry, sewing, welding among others. The facility is specifically designed to provide vocational and technical training to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, in order to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the modern workplace.
The skills training centre is part of Shekinah Glory organization founded by Juliet Bvekwa, and is well known for sending underprivileged children in Zvishavane to school as well as taking care of orphaned children.
The organization has also been catering for children and young people with disabilities through providing them with equal education opportunities so then can fit into society and live a normal life.
The skills training centre focuses mainly on practical training. In addition to classroom-based learning, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field, by working on tangible projects.
For Oscar, the skills training came in handy as he says his needs were catered for and it did not take any longer for his to graduate.
“This time around it did not take me long to learn. I passed and graduated with others in my intake without any hurdles because the course was accommodative,” he said.
“I look forward to being employed one day as i am yet to be employed and I would also like to give back to the training centre because it helped me a lot and made me feel that I belong somewhere. I’m greatly indebted to Mrs Juliet Bvekwa, Mrs Mafadza and my teachers,” said Oscar.
Skills training is an essential tool for young people with special needs to build the skills and knowledge they need to enter and succeed in the modern workplace. It can help to improve confidence and self-esteem, develop important soft skills, and provide a sense of belonging and inclusion.