Located in the heart of Maragua town, Murang’a County, just beside Casid Petrol Station, Emmanuel Skills Centre stands as a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and transformation for the Kenyan girl child.
Run by the Sisters of Emmanuel, the Centre has grown into a vibrant institution dedicated to restoring dignity, nurturing potential, and offering a second chance to vulnerable young women across the country.
A Vision Born from Crisis
The idea of Emmanuel Skills Centre was conceived in August 2020, during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With schools closed for nearly a year, many young girls faced overwhelming challenges, including:
Moved by these realities, the Sisters of Emmanuel felt a strong spiritual and humanitarian call to act.
Through persistence and outreach, they sought support from various organizations. Their efforts bore fruit when the Conrad Hilton Foundation, through the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK), responded generously,marking the birth of Emmanuel Skills Centre.
A Unique Approach to Empowerment
From the beginning, the Centre recognized that its students were not just learners, they were survivors.
To address their complex needs, the institution adopted a holistic empowerment model, focusing on:
Guided by the motto: “Empower the Girl Child and Transform the Nation”
The Centre welcomes girls from all backgrounds, focusing on dignity, opportunity, and transformation beyond religious boundaries.
Emmanuel Learning Centre: From Daycare to Primary School
What began as a small daycare to support young mothers has grown into a fully established primary school: Emmanuel Learning Centre.
Today, it serves approximately 150 children, most from nearby informal settlements where access to quality education is limited.
This expansion reflects the Centre’s commitment not only to young mothers but also to their children ensuring both can learn, grow, and thrive together.
Growth and Reach
Since its establishment, over 200 students have benefited from Emmanuel Skills Centre.
The institution now attracts young women from across Kenya, including:
For those traveling from distant regions, the Centre currently rents hostel facilities, with plans to build permanent accommodation in the future.
Skills for Life and Livelihood
The Centre offers practical, market-driven courses designed to equip students for independence:
Core Courses
Additional Skills Training
Students also benefit from sports, mentorship, competitions, and motivational sessions. Regular health talks are provided by the Maragua Sub-County Hospital medical team.
Community Support and Partnerships
The Centre thrives thanks to the generosity of partners and well-wishers who provide:
Additionally, some parents and guardians enroll fee-paying students, helping sustain operations while enabling the Centre to continue supporting the most vulnerable.
Pathway to Employment
After completing a one-year training program, students proceed to:
Graduates are supported through:
This ensures they transition into independent and stable livelihoods.
A Future Filled with Hope
Looking ahead, Emmanuel Skills Centre aims to:
While some students can pay fees, many rely on sponsorship or full support. Through determination, prayer, and partnerships, the Centre continues to transform lives daily.
Conclusion
Emmanuel Skills Centre and Emmanuel Learning Centre have become true homes of healing, growth, and opportunity.
Through education, counselling, and empowerment, the Sisters of Emmanuel are raising a generation of confident young women and children ready to transform their communities, and the nation.
When you empower the girl child, you truly transform the nation.
By Sr. Consolata Gakure
Administrator, Emmanuel Skills Centre – Maragua, Murang’a County
