ONGWEDIVA – Sex workers who patronised the Okandjengedi bridge in Oshakati have been offered training as graphic designers as well as in needlework, among other skills, to help them get employment or get involved in income-generating activities.
In an interview with New Era, some former sex workers said they had been waiting for such opportunities to come their way, and promised they would not let the opportunity slip through their fingers.
The founder and manager of Atmos Graphic Design and Tailoring, Frans Kapembe Nangaku, said his project is in Okandjengedi, Omagano complex.
He said improving the lives of the youth is one of the project’s fundamental goals, which is registered under the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.
“I decided to come up with a project to train youth, especially those who gave up on their lives. I have enrolled five young women who used to sell their bodies for a living, and they are currently doing well,” he said.
He said the training will enable them to either get employment or get involved in income-generating activities.
The project will probably ease the plight of the sex workers as prostitution has been on the public health agenda.
“It is my belief that personal growth and development will improve the lives of these women and with the involvement of donor partners and agencies, it would ease their plight,” he added.
The courses, which are for a duration of between six and 12 months, will be for free and participants would be awarded a certificate and a diploma on completion.
“The participants will not require any formal qualifications to enrol for the course,” said Nangaku.
He is, therefore appealing to good Samaritans to assist the project with anything they can afford so that more young people can be enrolled and taken off the streets.
He said young men are not excluded from the courses.
Selma Shivute, a former sex worker, narrated how violence, stigma and discrimination have affected them.
“I am rejoicing God has answered my prayers. I did not sell myself because I wanted to, but life pushed me into it,” she said.
She said she will take the opportunity seriously, since she doesn’t want to lose the miracle opportunity.
Ndapandula Simson, who is also a former sex worker, said she is not looking back.
“I face many forms of violence including sexual violence, rape, harassment, emotional abuse, humiliation, public insults, stigma and discrimination, and physical violence as well as other violations such as refusal of clients to adhere to the agreed transaction fee or outright refusal to pay me for services I provided. It was not easy,” lamented Simson.
She said her children are often insulted at schools because of her street work, and this affects both mother and child.
When asked how they will survive as they depended on selling their bodies as means of income, they said their family took them back, and promised to take care of them since they are now enrolled in school. -vkaapanda@nepc.com.na