Masicorp provides funding to help adults, youth & children gain the skills they need to get jobs or start their own businesses. We do this through a variety of skills training programmes:

Graduates of the ”Life Skills’ programme with their new sewing machines

Evangeline ‘Life Skills’ course

Masicorp works in partnership with Evangeline Ministries, providing a free ‘Life Skills’ course for women with little or no previous education. The course takes six months and teaches Basic English, Computer and Sewing Skills. All these topics are highly relevant to the women’s everyday lives and the course helps them gain self-confidence and a pride in their own work.

Each morning the women are tutored to improve their English language skills and learn basic computing skills. There are twelve women in each six-monthly intake, as well as the occasional male attendee.

The course also supports Nonny’s bakery in Masiphumelele who provide lunch for the ladies each day. After lunch the practical classes start with each learner having their own sewing machine to work on. On successful completion of the course each learner gets to keep the machine hence there is a real incentive to keep attending. With the course fees completely covered by Masicorp, the program has become very popular in Masiphumelele.

At the end of each six-month course there is a graduation ceremony for the students. Graduates have gone on to start their own sewing business, while others have gained the skills and confidence needed to apply for jobs.

Computer Training at Masiphumelele Library

Masicorp offers extensive computer literacy training courses at Masiphumelele Library, at no charge to the community. Our basic, ICDL (International Computer Drivers License) and children’s computer classes are held in the mornings and afternoons during the week by a team of committed staff and trainers. The computer lab is also open to the public for general use, so individuals may search for jobs, create cv’s, research homework or send emails. A staff member is always on hand to provide assistance.

Last year, our dream of having our computer Lab ICDL accredited was realized. After going through the eligibility process ICDL awarded us with an accreditation certification. In 2018, 17 adults graduated from the ICDL programme and 19 children took part in the children’s course. Nearly 11 000 hours of public usage sessions are recorded each year at the lab.

The lab has proven to be a haven of information and support for Masi residents who are now able to improve their computer literacy skills at no cost. Many of them have gone on to find employment thanks to the skills and confidence they have acquired.