The Columbus Vocational School of Tailoring

Buea, Cameroon
The Columbus Vocational School of Tailoring
PROPOSAL / January 20, 2016
SUBMITTED BY / Obakki Foundation
CONTACT
info@obakkifoundation.org
604 669.9790
400-341 Water Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 1B8
obakki.com
PROJECT PROPOSAL SUMMARY SHEET
NAMEOFORGANIZATION/ObakkiFoundation
PROJECTTITLE/TheColumbusVocationalSchoolofTailoring
COUNTRY/REGION/LOCATION/Buea,Cameroon
TOTALPROJECTCOST/$28,140.11CA
DATEOFSUBMISSION/January20,2016
CONTACT
info@obakkifoundation.org
604 669.9790
m
1. BACKGROUND
Cameroon is at a crossroads on its path to development. The country, diverse in landscape and culture, has many
assets yet at the same time major challenges. Despite many important gains in the late 1990s, poverty is still
widespread.
In cities such as Buea, in Cameroon’s southwest region, there is a relatively young, educated population who desire
to work, yet lack the necessary skills to provide themselves with livelihoods. Like many countries in sub-Saharan
Africa, Cameroon’s training system does not meet current local economic needs.
Cameroonian populations have voiced the desire for efforts designed to improve their capacity to generate
economic activities and to take their development into their own hands. They desire opportunities for both the poor
and young to enter the economy through well-targeted actions. Local organizations, such as the Buea School for
the Deaf (BSFD) and HOTPEC Orphanage, have expressed the great need for the children in their care to receive
training opportunities that will allow the youth to support themselves when they come of age.
Surveys and participatory consultations by ECAM (Cameroonian Household Survey) have stressed the importance
of education and professional training as a means for escaping poverty. Taking this into account, the Government
and international agencies have openly recognized the need for projects aimed at developing vocational and
professional training. Cameroon’s Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP) has also
recognized the need to address the situation.
The vocational training sector in Cameroon (formal and informal) has been neglected, and individuals trained and
capable of contributing to the local economy are necessary for the country’s economic growth. With this in mind,
the Obakki Foundation (OF) sees an excellent opportunity to invest in the small business sector in Cameroon, while
providing vocational support to young, marginalized populations. The project is a complimentary addition to the
orphanages and schools that OF is currently funding, and draws on the Obakki Foundation’s organizational
experience.
2. PROJECT OVERVIEW
2.1. PURPOSE
The core purpose of the project is to provide tailoring and shop management vocational training for youth facing
hardship and minimal opportunities in Buea, Cameroon. This training will take place in a vocational training center
and sales shop operated by the Obakki Foundation, providing a full circle experience from tailoring and sewing
skills to business management. The Columbus Vocational School of Tailoring will be designed with the capacity to
expand to other valuable skills, such as carpentry.
As a whole the project has many interacting aspects that address a number of challenges in the region. These
include:
•
•
•
Providing full circle training from clothing design and tailoring to shop/business, with potential to expand into
other skill areas
Supplying jobs to those facing limited opportunities
Offering community members a way to contribute to local efforts
•
•
Offering subsidized products to orphanages and disability schools
Growing support and funds for local initiatives, orphanages and disability schools
The Columbus Vocational School of Tailoring will offer hands on education to youth from local orphanages and
schools for children with disabilities, some of which the Obakki Foundation has been working with for over 20
years. Youth emerging from these schools and homes often find it difficult to enter the workforce due to a lack of
hard skills, creating a drain on families and the local community. Both orphanages and disability schools in Buea
have been in search of vocational training opportunities for the children. The project will offer the youth a safe,
supportive environment where they can gain the skills needed to enter the local economy.
Beneficiaries will gain knowledge and practical experience in areas such as clothing design, sewing, tailoring, and
business management. The vocational training center will begin with tailoring, but be flexible and able to grow and
expand to include other skills and trades once running. The Obakki Foundation believes that working in stages
produces best results as it allows for processes to be perfected before the project is scaled up. Through monitoring
and evaluation (M&E), staff training, and student and partner feedback the center will be able to grow at an
appropriate pace, ensuring the best results are achieved.
The vocational training center will employ local workers and trainers from Buea. Beyond the need for a Project
Manager, any job openings will first be offered to youth emerging from the care of orphanages and schools who
have few employment options, and then to local under-skilled and/or disabled members of the community. Workers
will be paid wages on par with the local economy, providing them with dignified work and reducing the burden on
families and the community.
Products produced in the center will be sold through two avenues. The first will through a market stall. Here
products will be sold at standard market prices. Youth in the vocational training program will be able to learn about
business management through the shop, and it will allow the local community to contribute to local efforts by
purchasing items they require. As the vocational training center grows, additional market stalls for sales may be
considered.
The second avenue for sales will be offering subsidized products, such as school uniforms, to local orphanages and
schools for children with disabilities. This will allow them provide necessary items for the children, while re-allocating
saved funds to areas such as food, medicine, infrastructure and education.
The vocational training center, owned and managed by the Obakki Foundation, will pay the wages of workers and
purchase required inputs for the center and training through the sale of the products, allowing it to be a selfsustaining system. Any profits gained from sales that are not spent on the vocational training center’s operations or
further growth will remain in the local community to support new non-profit projects or be donated to schools and
orphanages in need.
The focus of the program is to empower trainees to become agents of their own development by producing tailors
and leaders with not only the skills needed to work and have a secure future in the local economy, but to foster a
belief that we can all help others. The program will teach underprivileged youth that they can support themselves,
empower them with confidence in themselves, and show them that we all benefit by working together.
2.2. PLANNED ACTIVITIES
The Obakki Foundation will first procure a suitable space in the town of Buea, Cameroon to house the Columbus
Vocational School of Tailoring. Once the Obakki Foundation occupies the space any required renovations will
occur through the use of experienced local contractors. During this time the procurement of sewing machines and
related materials will occur, as well as hiring and initial teacher training.
When renovations are completed all equipment and supplies will immediately be moved into the space. Local
orphanages will be provided with a start date for the first cohort of vocational training, and asked to submit the
number, names and ages of students they plan to send. The teachers will complete their training, and assist in
arranging the space in a design conducive to learning. Project staff and teachers will generate class lists, timetables,
and prepare the school for its first lessons.
The vocational training activities will begin with core education on the machines and materials used in tailoring, and
lead into basic sewing techniques. Students will become familiar with common and high demand products such as
school uniforms. A market stall will be procured.
As students advance, the coursework will become more diverse. Lessons in design will be included. The students
will be encouraged to explore their own interests, choosing designs and patterns they wish to attempt. Students will
be offered the opportunity to sew items to support the local orphanages, and to learn more about business through
vocational training lessons at the market stall.
Partner organizations with students attending the School will be welcome to attend the trainings and to observe
lessons and operations, and encouraged to provide regular feedback. Government officials, donors, educators, and
the wider community will also be welcome to visit to learn about and provide feedback on the School’s efforts. All
comments, including student feedback, will be highly valued in regular M&E and reviews.
Students will be encouraged to continue to attend trainings until their skill level is suitable to make a living in the field
of tailoring. At this time, they are welcome to continue to volunteer at the center, including assisting new students.
Should a position open as a trainer at the Columbus Vocational School of Tailoring graduates will be invited to
submit resumes and receive first consideration.
2.3. BENEFICIARIES
Underprivileged girls and boys currently in orphanages and disability schools in Buea, Cameroon are the primary
beneficiaries of this project. They will benefit the most from the training and products produced. The community
members of Buea who have limited opportunities due to lack of training and/or disabilities, and who gain
opportunities through the project, are also primary beneficiaries. The families and organizations whose burden of
care for will be reduced through the project, and orphanages and schools benefiting from subsidized produce will
be secondary beneficiaries. The community members of Buea, Cameroon will benefit from the diverse product
selection and the ability to choose to buy from a seller that ‘gives back’ to the community.
2.4. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY
Founded by Treana Peake in 2009, the Obakki Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to providing clean water and
education to developing communities in need. The Obakki Foundation strives to meet these needs immediately, so
projects are chosen for their potential to make an impact quickly, but also sustainably. OF is a hands-on
organization that builds relationships within communities to learn where help is needed most.
The Obakki Foundation has been active in Buea, Cameroon since 2009, however Treana Peake has been active in
the community for over 20 years. This has allowed for the Foundation to develop a deep understanding of the local
context and needs in the region, as well as strong relationships with local organizations.
The Obakki Foundation has previous vocational training experience in the agricultural sector through its work in
South Sudan, experiencing great success with the projects. The Obakki Foundation has experience working with
large funding bodies, including the United Nations; successfully implementing several UN funded projects in the
past four years.
2.5. COORDINATION
The Obakki Foundation recognizes the importance of community acceptance and participation. All stakeholders
have been and will continue to be engaged through all levels of project concept, design, implementation and
monitoring.
The project has received support from current partners including the Buea School for the Deaf (BSFD), and
HOTPEC and St. Valentine’s orphanages. Buea School for the Deaf and HOTPEC have been searching for ways
to provide valuable vocational training to the youth in their care; however, with limited space and funding, it is
difficult for them to provide diverse and in-depth training options. The partners were immediately supportive of The
Columbus Vocational School of Tailoring, and readily provided input that has been integrated into the project plan.
The partners noted above, as well as others in the region and the local government, will be involved in all aspects of
project implementation to ensure all stakeholders have the opportunity to engage and provide input to make the
project a success for all involved. The Obakki Foundation hopes to connect with other NGO/non-profits working
locally as well as increasing the number of school/orphanages partnered with the program.
The Obakki Foundation will be responsible for the management of the project, which includes overseeing the
procurement of necessary equipment and materials, liaising with local government officials and NGOs, monitoring
and evaluating the work being completed, and overseeing the successful implementation of the project. OF will
work with government officials, local NGOs, and private companies who have the organizational capacity and
logistical experience to assist with project implementation.
The Obakki Foundation will work closely with funding bodies to ensure the needs and goals of the beneficiaries, the
Obakki Foundation and the funder(s) are met. The OF field office and staff in Buea, Cameroon will implement the
project with support and guidance from the head office in Vancouver, Canada.
2.6. PROJECT SUSAINABILITY
This project is expected to be fully sustainable within two years of its initial implementation. This will provide enough
time to ensure staff is fully trained, and the vocational training center is generating substantial amounts of product
suitable for sale and gain regular clientele. Funds from sold items will support the wages, growth, training, and
maintenance of the vocational training center, meaning no further donor/external inputs will be required. Any
excess funds from sales will be used to re-invest in the center and its vocational training programs and/or provide
funding to school and orphanage partners and/or fund additional non-profit services in Buea, Cameroon.
2.7. PROJECT TIME PERIOD
Yr 1 Month 1-3
Yr 1 Month 4-6
Yr 1 Month 5-9
Yr 1 Month 9-12
Yr 2 Month 1-3
Yr 2 Month 4-9
Yr 2 Month 10-12
Centre set-up, Hiring, Procurement
Teacher Training, Set-up
Vocational Training, Operations, Sales
Vocational Training, Operations, Sales, M&E
Vocational Training, Operations, Sales, Implement M&E Lessons
Vocational Training, Operations, Sales
Vocational Training, Operations, Sales, M&E, Final Review
2.8. PROJECT INDICATORS
The Obakki Foundation recognizes the importance of measuring project success. In order to measure the success
of the project, clear indicators will be developed. The indicators will include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Amount & quality of clothing items produced
Shop management
Employee satisfaction and skill development
Student skill development and engagement
Perceived skill value by students, partners, and community
Success of shop/sales
Perceived value of subsidized clothing by benefitting institutions
In addition to these indicators, OF will collect impact stories which detail changes in beneficiaries’ lives. These
stories will supplement the information being collected by the indicators.
3. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3.1. PROJECT BUDGET
The total funds required to implement this two-year project are $28,140.00 CA. After its initial 2 year
implementation the project is expected to continue to operate self-sustainably.
Item
Shop Rental
Quantity
24 months
Unit Cost
(CFA)
80,000.00
Renovations
Total Cost (CFA)
1,920,000.00
210,000.00
Utilities
24 months
60,000.00
1,440,000.00
Sewing Machines
8
80,000.00
640,000.00
Button Hole Machine
1
600,000.00
600,000.00
Zig-Zag Machine
1
300,000.00
300,000.00
Serger
1
300,000.00
300,000.00
Machine Repairs
2 years
62,000.00
Tools
124,000.00
125,000.00
Materials
2,100,000.00
Teacher/Trainer
24 months
100,000.00
Transport
24 months
22,000.00
528,000.00
Market Stall Rental
24 months
50,000.00
1,200,000.00
Total
*This budget was calculated using the January 21, 2016 exchange rate.
2,400,000.00
$11,887,000.00
Total Cost
(CA)
$4,545.22
$497.13
$3,408.91
$1,515.07
$1,420.38
$710.19
$710.19
$293.55
$295.91
$4,971.33
$5,681.52
$1,249.93
$2,840.76
$28,140.11