News & Media

The Chandaria Foundation together with Safal Building Systems (SBS), a subsidiary of Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM) came together on February, Tuesday 14, to extend the workshop training unit at Lang’ata Women’s Prison as a Valentine’s gift to the inmates. The workshop unit, offering tailoring and baking training to the inmates, was commissioned last year at a time like this.

Investments to date of the workshop training unit including the extension is estimated to cost over 14 million Kenyan Shillings and includes the SAFBUILD® steel structures for bakery, tailoring, rotary oven, raw materials, an office, and a control room.

The training unit will equip the inmates with technical vocational skills and empower them to establish businesses or access employment opportunities once released back to the society.  This is in line with SBS and MRM’s CSI pillar on education that supports skills training development for youth and women. The acquired skills will not only enable these women to become self-reliant, but also reduce chances of repeated offenses with the law.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Samwel Muhingo, Business Head, SBS said: “SAFBUILD® ready-made steel buildings are delivered within 30 days providing a fast and stress-free construction.  The previous construction of the workshop training unit through the SAFBUILD® brand, was fabricated offsite and easily assembled on site.”

We are proud that this new extension will cater for the growing training needs and allow for more women to take up the trainings offered here, added Mr. Muhingo.

Since commissioning of the workshop last year, 36 inmates have already been trained in bakery, tailoring and dressmaking. The target is to have 200 inmates go through the project each year.

Lang’ata Women’s Prison is home to over 600 women, and many of them come from challenging backgrounds, making it difficult for them to find work and support themselves once they are released from prison.

The inmates who have gone through the baking section have been able to earn an average of Kshs.45,000 each in three months while those in the tailoring unit, Kshs.10,000 each.

Speaking during the commissioning of the extension, Principal Secretary Correctional Services – Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Mrs. Mary Muthoni thanked the Chandaria Foundation, Safal Building Systems and other stakeholders for their contribution towards the prison’s project.

“The beneficiaries will be able to start their own businesses upon release and pass down the skills gained to other women in the community therefore, making the nation a better place with more economically empowered women and improved livelihoods,” said Principal Secretary Muthoni, adding that this extension is a clear indication of Safal Building Systems support toward the prison’s efforts in securing the best for the inmates.

Everyone deserves a second chance, and this includes the women at Lang’ata Women’s Prison.