Online Reporter
Chronicle Correspondent
A SUCCESSFUL year-long mentorship and entrepreneurship programme at the Ugandan Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb has received a huge boost in the form of 20 industrial sewing machines to capacitate locals in garment-making.
The equipment has been sourced by a United States-based non-governmental organisation, Courageous Women in Action (CWIA), as part of collaborative efforts to enhance income-generating projects at the community level in line with the Government’s empowerment targets.
The mentorship initiative began two years ago with five women, who were each allocated an industrial sewing machine for their entrepreneurship efforts, which was later donated to them after completing the training programme.
Speaking at the recent handover of the 20 machines, CWIA president, Dr Hetty Asiodu, said they were impressed by the progress made by the five initial participants, which made them increase the number of participants.
She said following the graduation of the first class on Sunday, they were finalising the selection of those who will undergo further training in the second cohort.
The participants will initially use the machines at the church, but once they have completed the mentorship, they will be given the machines.
“We had a dedicated group of five, which graduated on Sunday and we are going to enlist them as mentors for this upcoming group.
“We want to empower them through these sewing machines as we enable them to earn a living,” said Dr Asiodu.
CWIA director of operations, LaQuesha Angew, said they were looking to improve the lives of the women at the Luveve-based church.
“To ensure the machines are put to good use, we have been receiving constant reports and assisting wherever there are challenges.
“We have been raising funds in America and this has enabled us to buy 20 more machines,” she said.
“One of my roles is to provide a business template to the women to help them grow and market their businesses while also enabling them to secure different markets for their products.”
Alongside the graduation of five women, CWIA also honoured two women, Addis Hlomani and Beauty Mafu, who played a critical role in ensuring the success of the programme.
“As a Christian-centred organisation, we expect God to increase us every year and next year we are hoping to come back with more machines and assist more women,” she said.
Some of the participants, who graduated on Sunday said the programme had impacted positively on their lives, enabling them to establish a steady source of income.
Widower, Susan Masheka-Kashiri (54) said she has been able to put food on the table through sewing sheets and curtains.
“During my secondary school, I did sewing and afterwards I bought two machines, but they were not electric and not industrial like this one, which has given me better output,” she said.
“It has eased my financial challenges as I get orders, which assist me in paying fees for my grandchildren and also buy food.”
Another beneficiary, Grace Nehumba, said she used to grow vegetables at a local garden, but with limited space, she never grew enough to make a meaningful amount. Now, after securing the machine, she has been able to clear her council rates debt.
CWIA is focused on uplifting underprivileged women through various empowerment programmes, mainly in the United States but also in other parts of the world.
Other members of CWIA who made the trip include Lindsey Copeland, Horace Pitt, Marie Pitt and Alexa Pitt.
