Claremont library staff who work on the Women’s Information Skills Empowerment (Wise) programme, from left, are Margaux Bergman, Gadija Manuel, Nuhaa Portland, Phindi Gana, Alicia Thornton, Bongeka Xalisile and Ntombi Lukashe.
Residents of a shelter for pregnant women who have suffered abuse, homelessness, abandonment by their families and other ills have been learning new skills at the Claremont library.
Ten women from the Mater Domini Home wrapped up the five-week Women’s Information Skills Empowerment (Wise) training programme at the library in the first week of June.
“The idea for this programme was to teach women skills that they could walk away with and use in the real world,” said assistant librarian Nuhaa Portland.
Among other things, the women were taught how to find their way around the library as well as digital literacy, essay writing, basic computer skills, and how to do research and put a CV together.
They were also registered on the City’s jobs database, and in the final week of the course, Samantha Adams, of Athlone, spoke to them about her book, Warrior Outside, Chaos Within, describing her own experiences of abuse.
“It was a good experience engaging with the women and sharing my story,” said Ms Adams.
Mater Domini chairperson Bernadette Ross said the training had been beneficial for the women. “Even when they leave Mater Domini, they will be able to use these skills, go to a local library and job hunt.”
A former Mater Domini resident, Annasuena Malebo, 32, of Gugulethu, did the course last year. For the past six months, she has been working in a call centre.
“I have learnt computer skills before, though this was a refresher, and I learned skills in updating my CV, which I used to apply for my current job,” she said.
Ms Malebo said staying at Mater Domini had taught her discipline and obedience and how to care for others.
“I still call the home if I need any advice on life and motherhood.”