Stronger Together

These young mothers are working and saving for a better future.

There's something powerful happening in Buwudha village.

Six young mothers, Goretti, Christin, Fazirah, Faith, Elizabeth, and Manjeri, recently graduated from the tailoring program at our Girls' Vocational Center and decided they didn't want their growth to stop there.

So they created a savings and loan group together.

For two years, we watched these young women show up faithfully to class. 

They learned tailoring skills while navigating pregnancy, raising children, hardship, and long journeys to attend training each day.

We watched their confidence grow.

We watched them become skilled seamstresses, learn money management, work in our craft store, and begin earning and saving for the first time.

Like many graduates, they felt nervous about what life would look like after completing the program. But they stayed connected, and now they've returned to mentor and encourage younger girls currently in training.

Then they came to us with a plan.

Together, the six young women designed their own savings and loan group. 

They created leadership roles, repayment plans, and loan terms. We provided the initial capital investment, and they took it from there.

Now businesses are beginning to grow.

Goretti is sewing and selling beautiful clothing made from kitenge fabric. Manjeri purchased a secondhand sewing machine and is doing custom sewing for customers in her village. Elizabeth and Faith have expanded into selling vegetables and fruit alongside their tailoring work.

Christin is the treasurer, and Goretti is the secretary. They have shown such growth, and we are very proud of them!

And this is only the beginning.

What we love most is seeing their initiative, leadership, and belief in what's possible for their families and their futures.

These young women are determined that their children will have opportunities they never had.

This is the impact of the Girls' Vocational Center.

And it's possible because of you!

With Gratitude,

Mary

P.S.- Because of you, these young women are not only graduating with skills, they're creating income, mentoring others, and building lasting change for their families and communities.