Habitat Japan implemented Barclays LifeSkills Programme this summer to empower lone mothers living in shelters and help them be financially independent by placing them into work.
The project is aimed at mothers and children residing in lone mothers’ shelters due to various circumstances including poverty and domestic violence. Shelters like these act as a place where mothers can find rest and stability while gathering the energy and skills necessary to become independent. While their stay may be temporary, these shelters act as an important checkpoint where mothers and children are empowered to build their own foundation for a better future and a better home.
Through Habitat Japan’s Facility Repair program, we work to maintain orphanages and lone mothers’ facilities as they age, as well as address urgent repair needs of these shelters. With the help from Barclays, Habitat Japan started offering life skills training and job placement opportunities this summer. This training supports mothers and children of high school age residing in Kanagawa shelters and will provide them the skills necessary for their daily lives and employment.
Barclays LifeSkills Programme helps these lone mothers improve skills useful in day-to-day life by holding classes on cooking and cleaning as well as makeup and manners. As there are mothers who do not speak Japanese as their native tongue, Japanese language classes are also offered so these mothers may become independent and successfully integrate into Japanese society and workplace.
At a course on makeup held recently at one facility, a mother remarked that “attending the class reminded me how important it is to take care of myself. It’s just a class on makeup, so I never expected it to make me feel this way. I want my daughters to be able to take care of themselves in this general sense too.” Taking care of oneself is the first important step to leading an independent life.
The LifeSkills Programme is just one of the efforts to execute Habitat for Humanity’s mission: Bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. With the kind support of Barclays, we are able to extend this mission to support those mothers and children in need so they may build stability, strength, and resiliency to be strong and independent individuals. We offer Barclays our sincerest thanks.
For more information on Barclays LifeSkills Programme, please visit here.