Manal Athman Case Study
webdevNAME: Manal Athman Ali.
COURSE: Vessel Repair and Maintenance.
CENTRE: Lamu Vocational Training Center.
Manal Athman Ali, from Langoni village in Amu Island, Mkomani ward, Lamu County studied vessel repair and maintenance at Lamu Vocational Training Center. Aged 22yrs from a family of seven siblings, Athman felt compelled to find her journey towards a better livelihood for herself and her family; unfortunately, after completing form four she stayed home due to financial constraints that the family was facing to take her for higher learning. She would assist her mother and siblings with the household chores, which at some point became depressing for her to see schoolmates proceed to higher education.
One day she attended a meeting called by the area chief and she heard about the Go Blue project, which was to be launched in Lamu County to support the youth in gaining technical skills. She got interested and went ahead to register with the program at Lamu vocational training center. Luckily, she got enrolled and pursued a vessel repair and maintenance course; which in her village is considered a “man’s job”. However; she made the decision to study it because of the opportunities in Lamu County, especially with fishing boats and tour boats on the island of Amu. She also wanted to inspire other young girls to take up the course and, break the belief that girls cannot pursue male-dominated courses.
In addition to the vessel repair and maintenance skills that Athman acquired, she gained life skills training, entrepreneurship skills training, and basic computer training, which was part of the program. With this knowledge, she has gained much confidence in her ability to execute her job. Athaman now earns a living as a vessel repair and maintenance specialist in Lamu and she is able to support her family.
In her journey, Athaman encountered a number of challenges, such as religion and culture; in her community, it’s believed this work is “man’s work” not to be done by women. Customers also shied away from her believing that she could not deliver because she is a woman. However, Athaman grew within these challenges and, is progressively working hard at her craft alongside others in the business, she has grown her clientele and they firmly believe in her ability and skill.
Through her motivation, the program has registered 15 other women in vessel repair and maintenance courses and maritime security, which the community celebrates.
Athman thanks sponsors of this Go Blue project, GIZ, for aiding her to a much better livelihood through the program. She also thanks the Lamu County government for their support during their training.
