My six-year-old daughter seemed calmer when she saw me study. She liked what she was seeing, and I liked it too.

It started last year. I was going through a tough personal time. I was lonely, pregnant and looking after my daughter. My social workers suggested that I attend a course that could help me.

The idea of attending a course was scary and exciting. I had had a tough upbringing. My parents were not always around. I had stopped school at the secondary level, and I never got any ‘O’ levels. I am now 32.

I liked the idea of getting some form of qualifications and meeting people like me. I only ever worked as a waitress or bartender before I had children. At the time, this type of work made me happy. But now that I have children and I’m growing older, I want more for myself and I want to show my children the right path.

So, I started attending the course offered by Fidem on Saturdays. I improved my English, computer skills and other skills. In the meantime, I also started a beauty therapy course.  

Five months into the Fidem course, I gave birth. At first, I would take my baby with me and keep her on me in class.

When she turned nine months, I felt comfortable leaving her in the hands of Fidem’s childcare workers so I could focus. I would not have managed without this type of support.

Now I completed both the beauty therapist course and the Fidem course. I’m thinking of continuing with other courses also. I was in my 30s before I learnt that, whatever I learn in life, I am learning for myself – to improve my life and that of my children.

As told to Claudia Calleja.

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Skill Up

Lisa and Joanne (photo above) were among the 20 women who participated in the first edition of Skill Up, out of which 13 women graduated as a result of sitting for exams and passed. The education programme organised by the Fidem Foundation and sponsored by Atlas Insurance Community Involvement Fund, offered English, leading to an MQF Level 3 certification (equivalent to an ‘O’ level), computer literacy and basic life and soft skills such as cooking and nutrition, mindfulness, money coaching, yoga, dance, theatre and self-defence.

Fidem provided the course programme and all materials for free but also organised free transport and childcare on-site.

Fidem will be starting the second Skill Up programme this autumn. Applications are to open shortly.