St. Therese Technical and Vocational College

St. Therese Technical and Vocational College in Karen is run by the Catholic sisters of the Society of Donum Dei. It began as a small cooking class and grew into a government-registered training centre. The college serves mainly girls and young women from nearby low-income areas such as Kibera, Dagoretti, Kawangware and Ngong, including young mothers who could not return to school, and most students walk in from home. Learners who did not finish secondary school can take a one-year artisan certificate, those with a low KCSE grade a two-year craft certificate, and those with a C or above a three-year diploma. Training also covers life skills and starting a business. TVETA lists it as registered and licensed for KNEC craft courses in catering and accommodation operations, food and beverage production and service, and housekeeping and laundry, plus solar PV installation (TVET CDACC Level 5). The centre has trained several thousand students since 2006.