Theirworld and Voith join forces to launch Code Clubs for 720 girls in Tanzania

More than 700 girls and young women will be able to learn technical skills at six new Code Clubs in Tanzania.

Theirworld is teaming up with Voith to celebrate the multinational company’s 150th year of global operations by launching the clubs later this year.

They will help 720 girls and young women develop vital communications and leadership skills, and learn technical coding skills that prepares them for entry into an expanding tech sector across Africa.

Code Clubs provide a free safe space for vulnerable girls and young women to learn coding, foster their creative thinking and increase important business and health-related knowledge and skills to help transform their lives. 

The new Voith Code Clubs in Tanzania will expand and complement Theirworld’s existing Code Clubs in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, working towards contributing to more women working in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

The initiative was made possible through a donation of 150,000 Euros (about $170,000). Alongside the donation, family-owned Voith is joining the Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education).

Founded by Theirworld in 2012, it brings together the expertise and resources of 100 leading companies to help achieve global education for all. 

Lars Rosumek, Senior Vice President Group Communications for Voith, said: “Voith’s partnership with Theirworld and the Global Business Coalition for Education reflects our long-standing commitment to education and grassroots initiatives. 

“Our 150th anniversary is a major milestone in the history of our company and it was something made possible by all of the people around the world who make up the Voith family. 

“This underscores the need for us to make strategic investments to expand access to education so that today’s youth can have a healthier, happier, more productive tomorrow. Organisations like Theirworld and the GBC-Education help us make that possible.”

Sarah Brown, Executive Chair of the Global Business Coalition for Education and President of Theirworld, said: “We know that investing in a girl has social and economic returns that go beyond her, extending not only to her family and future children, but also to her community. 

“Engaging private sector knowledge and mobilising its resources are key to scaling these approaches to as many girls and young women as possible.” 

Despite thousands of jobs being created in the STEM industries across Africa, gender discrimination and lack of access to education and technology means girls are often kept out of the workforce and unable to break the cycle of poverty.

At Code Clubs, girls and young women aged from six to 25 learn how to build a computer, which is made available through GBC-Education member Kano, and make games and artwork and express themselves using code. 

Integrated into the curriculum are also concepts of health and nutrition where girls reflect on their daily routines and the importance of hygiene, exercise and nutrition using online tools. 

The older girls also learn how to create their own websites using HTML, CSS and Java as well as gain skills for future employment and business. All girls are provided with a healthy snack.

The Voith donation was funded by its employees through the company’s 150th anniversary corporate sports project, in which staff worldwide were encouraged to participate in sporting events to support this cause. 

In addition to its work with Theirworld and GBC-Education, Voith is supporting local social initiatives of its employees. 

The 150 Good Causes are local projects supporting schools, education and science, social matters, sports and culture.