Growing up has never been easy, but young people today face extraordinary challenges. Now more than ever, they need support to develop the skills, confidence and resilience to thrive amid uncertainty.

Our Training into Work programme brings real change for young people in Zambia.

Evelyn trained with us last year:

“I joined the training because I was motivated after seeing other women doing construction works, and I wanted financial freedom. My academic journey was not a smooth one. I only managed to go as far as Grade 8 because of financial challenges.

I trained with Build It as a bricklayer. After the training at the Centre for Excellence, I did work placement as per Build It requirement. 

I have always strived to work hard and stand out at whatever I do, and being female has not made me think otherwise in achieving this.

In October 2021, I joined Iridium Construction. Over the past one year I have worked for Iridium, I have proved to be hard working and committed to the work. I have learnt other skills besides bricklaying and plastering, such as tilling and painting just out of interest.

Because of my outstanding performance, discipline and focus I have been given a position of a supervisor, the only female supervisor at my work place! This shows women can lead in the construction industry and break the bias.

My main focus now is to prepare for my children’s future. In the next five years I see myself completing Grade 12, and would have grown in this field of construction.” 

Evelyn is pictured proudly graduating as best in her class in 2021 (left), and breaking down barriers for #WomenInConstruction in 2022 (right).

Double your donation

Please help to train more young people like Evelyn with a donation today.

And for one week only, your donation can be doubled through the Big Give Christmas Challenge (29 Nov – 6 Dec 2022) – click here to find out more and to make a donation. That’s one donation, twice the impact.

Thank you – together we continue building brighter futures in Zambia.