Press Release

OFID extends US$250,000 for expansion of CEFIM Vocational Center for Women in Bolivia

59/2006 June 13, 2006, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) today approved a grant of US$250,000 in support of expansion of CEFIM vocational training center for women in La Paz, Bolivia, to be jointly implemented by the Foundation for the Social Promotion of Culture (FPSC) and the Vocational Center for Women (CEFIM). The project aims at enlarging the facility to accommodate rising enrolment rates.

Poverty levels in the capital La Paz and its outskirts are inordinately high, particularly among women, most of whom are heads of household. As many women usually begin working at an early age, many are deprived of the chance of receiving a basic education, leaving them with little chance of obtaining decently-paying jobs.

Established in 1986, CEFIM, one of the leading centers of its kind in Bolivia, offers free vocational training programs to women in areas such as hostelry-gastronomy, food processing, pediatric and geriatric care, as well as short courses and workshops. Upon completion, the participants receive a recognized diploma that enables them to secure employment for women from La Paz, El Alto and La Paz District.

OFID’s grant will co-finance construction of an extension of CEFIM’s premises comprising workshops, classrooms, offices, a library and other related facilities, effectively doubling its size. The new facility will accommodate the increasing enrolment rate of women from 316 to 527 students annually.

Established in 1987, FPSC is a non-profit, international non-governmental organization based in Spain, with the mandate to help eradicate poverty by encouraging education and vocational training, providing support to women and minorities and strengthening human values and culture. Since its inception, FPSC has carried out almost 200 social development projects across the globe. OFID has extended three previous grants to the FPSC totaling US$700,000.