This project, in partnership with Solidaridad, Ayuda y Esperanza Crean Alegra (S.A.U.C.E.) in Battambang, works with girls in four main areas with the community: Literacy and Tailoring Courses, high school enrolment programme, Kindergarten teacher training and a production centre, managed by former students, in which handicrafts are sold and shipped abroad to benefit educational activities in Cambodia.

Translated from Spanish, S.A.U.C.E. means Solidarity Help Hope Joy Believe, and this NGO has been working with the Salesian sisters of Don Bosco in Cambodia for many years. The community has been present in Battambang since 1996, focusing on education, skills training, human promotion, and development of youth, especially of children and women. This project came to the ALMT through a Co-Funder who wants to join forces and the ALMT made this possible. The project aims to support i) the training and ii) personal development of 18 second year students at Don Bosco Literacy and Sewing Centre for Girls in Battambang, Cambodia.

The beneficiaries of the programme are disadvantaged young women, who often come from difficult backgrounds (in some cases even victims of trafficking by members of their own family). Moreover, all the beneficiaries are young girls who are illiterate and have dropped out of school. This programme has proven to be a great success over the past 11 years with a very rewarding 85% completion ratio. The training is divided into two one-year courses, during which the girls have access to literacy courses and are taught a variety of sewing processes.

Upon graduation, every student is granted a sewing machine and a micro-loan to kick-start their own business. The loan is repaid monthly up to 60-70% of the total amount, depending on each case. At least 30% is a non-refundable grant. Providing a skill to these girls allows them to have a way of living which means an income to support their families. Moreover, literacy courses are also provided so those girls that never had the chance to go to school will learn basic reading and writing skills. Almost 70% of the girls graduated from the past two years of training and are currently working in their own small businesses or in local textile factories, making a wage that supports their families, which in most cases, are in deep need.