From Skills to Self-Reliance: Empowering Teen Mothers through business and job readiness training
25 teen mothers supported by Groupe Nos Enfants (GNE) are turning vocational skills into pathways toward economic independence. As part of their six-month tailoring programme, the young women completed nine days of entrepreneurship, business and job-readiness training in July–August 2026. They gained practical skills in business planning, market research, pricing, customer care, financial literacy and savings.
The training is already changing the way participants think about their futures. As Clementine, one of the trainees, shared: “Before, I used to spend money however I wanted. Now, I have changed the way I manage my money.”
Marie Claire also highlighted the importance of purposeful saving: “Now, I save with defined objectives, which helps me know exactly how much I should save.”
The next step is for each participant to develop an individual business plan with support of GNE, to be completed by the end of their tailoring training in December 2026.
GNE plans to support graduates with sewing machines and essential start-up materials, helping them move from training to income-generating activities.
Investing in mothers, investing in the next generation
For teen mothers facing economic vulnerability, access to a practical skill alone is often not enough. Sustainable change requires a combination of skills, confidence, financial knowledge, business capacity, start-up support and continued accompaniment.
GNE's approach therefore seeks to build a pathway: Vocational skills → Entrepreneurship → Business planning → Start-up support → Income generation → Greater self-reliance
The ultimate ambition is simple but transformative: to enable young mothers to become economically active, confident and self-reliant women who can create better opportunities for themselves and their children.
By investing in these young mothers today, we are helping them build sustainable livelihoods, stronger families and brighter futures for their children.
Join GNE in turning skills into opportunities and potential into lasting change.