Songea is the fastest-growing cities in Tanzania. In 1950 the population was just 719, in 2000 it reached 89,915 and in 2024 the population is estimated at 445,968. It faced and is still facing all urbanisation challenges, an increase of economic activities but a lack of skilled labour, and a rampant unemployment among the unskilled youth that forces many into criminal activities. The main factors that constraint young people from finding work include a misalignment of education and labour market needs, lack of experience, nepotism and corruption in the labour market, and a lack of skills and entrepreneurship training.

It is very difficult to get back to work after someone has served their sentence. Research showed that most ex-prisoners who had no profession or skills were re-arrested within 6 months of their release. Those who have received vocational training will be able to avoid making the same mistake again. Those who work for themselves can support their families and send children to school.

Fast-growing cities attract skilled labour from other areas, while the local youth remain unemployed. A lot of young people do not go to school due to lack of money to pay for school / training fees; and unemployed youth increasingly get involved in theft and prostitution.  The possibility that they become the new future prisoners is real if nothing is done to equip them with skills and create employment opportunities.

Nyefwe Foundation was established in 2019, with the aim of building technical ability to unemployed youth and released prisoners and helping them create self-employment opportunities. Unemployed youth is being trained to reduce their potential involvement in criminal activities. The released prisoners are trained to give them a second chance. Most ex-prisoners who had no skills are re-arrested within 6 months of their release. Those who have received vocational training are able to avoid making the same mistake. The foundation has workshops, four (4) qualified instructors who hold VETA certificates.

The Nyefwe foundation started with only five trainees and currently has increased to 40 trainees per year. It could host up to 200 trainees per year, but limited training facilities hamper this.

The project allows to provide vocational training to more than 65 trainees (released prisoners and unemployed youth) per year. It allows them to learn skills with which they can find a job or possibly start their own small business. Most of graduates are expected to become self-employed and start businesses in carpentry, tailoring, knitting, motor mechanics or electric installation. The project is expected to reduce unemployment and poverty among young people in Songea, as well as their potential involvement in criminal activities.

For the delivery by Vraag & Aanbod International of the necessary machines and tools (for vocational training and starter toolkits), € 3,433 is needed.