Visitors Comments

We were very impressed by our visit last week to the Girls Centre, and glad to meet Isabella, Iris and Shariffa who are all doing such vital work to help the girls get a good start in life. The garden project (with the water-collection system from the market rooftop), the sewing workshops, the beautiful craft objects on sale, all these show what can be done. I am telling all our friends about the project and looking for retail outlets for their handiwork. I really hope this kind of project can be duplicated. It seems so obvious to start with compost and then build up to education for a sustainable way of life. Congratulations to everyone concerned and thanks for a very inspiring morning. I am trying to find a way to get some books to you for your library!

The centre is just of its own kind.
From the class work, to handcraft, to gardening, solar jiko, sports (cricket) and girl guiding activities. The food they cook is just woo. Keep it up girls. You are not a lesser person. Thanks to the founders of the centre and all well wishers who keep the centre running. What others can do,you you can do better.

The Hawkers Market Girls Centre is an amazing place, as are the girls who study and work there. Started from such humble beginnings by a team of women, when they found young girls foraging through the dump near the market in order to survive, the centre today is a place of safety, tranquility, learning and fun for young women who have faced extraordinary challenges in their lives. I was very impressed by what the girls are learning - from vegetable gardening to healthy cooking, to sewing and needlework, to accounting, reading and writing, to the many talents found in the Girl Guide movement. They are developing work skills as well as friendships, respect for others and for themselves, and support networks. Life changing is how I would describe it. Helping people to help themselves. I felt privileged to be there, and have told many people about it. Thank you for your warm welcome.

The Hawkers Girls Market Centre is a ray of hope for young girls with no where else to go! The girls are encouraged to finish their education, gain vocational skills and be courageous to make their own positive life choices. Every time I visit I am inspired by the transformation that occurs in the girls - they are motivated, self confident and hopeful. This humble place built on a compost pile nurtured by Shariffa Keshavjee and her team is a place where dreams and hopes are reclaimed.