The Ubomi SkillsCenter closes the circle: from early childhood development and school support to vocational training. Since 2017, the UBOMI project has been supporting children and young people from the townships around Cape Town on their educational journey – now we are taking the next step and creating a place where young people can actively shape their future.

The SkillsCenter in Egoli offers young people from all UBOMI centers (Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, and Egoli) a space to learn, experiment, and grow. The goal is to promote practical skills and self-confidence—for a self-determined life and new perspectives despite high unemployment.

Learning for life

The SkillsCenter workshops teach practical skills that are needed in everyday life and in the workplace. Young people learn crafts, gardening, home economics, and cooking, as well as how to use renewable energies, especially solar energy, and modern technologies.

In addition, they acquire basic knowledge about starting a business—from simple business principles to idea development and self-organization.

This creates a unique learning environment that combines creativity, responsibility, and practical skills.Every skill learned is a step toward independence—and a contribution to the development of the entire community.

1. Training workshops for new skills
In our practical workshops, young people learn crafts (working with wood and metal), horticulture, sustainable management, solar technology, and home economics. They develop manual, creative, and technical skills that open up opportunities for vocational training or even self-employment.

2. Holistic education for sustainable success
In addition to practical skills, we promote personal and social skills. Training in financial literacy, self-management, and resilience prepares young people to take responsibility for their own lives.

3. Early support
Even the youngest children are introduced to education in a playful way—with creative learning methods, social training, and the conviction that knowledge is the key to self-determination.

4. Women’s empowerment center
A special focus is placed on women, who usually face more challenges than men due to family, social responsibilities, and the image of the role of women.

• Holistic approach: A smooth transition from early support to vocational training.
• Strengthening the community: We involve the local community in every step and create jobs and a lasting impact.
• Creating prospects and self-confidence: Young people are given real opportunities to improve their lives in the long term. They also learn that they can shape their own future.
• Practice instead of theory: Young people learn by doing – with direct reference to their everyday lives and their environment.

The Ubomi SkillsCenter is intended to be a safe place for learning and consolidation – a beacon for education and independence in South Africa. Together, we are creating a place of hope where children and young people can develop their potential and shape their own future.

Overview of the site:

Here is a video to give you more insight: