SEVERAL widows from Luveve high-density suburb in Bulawayo have received industrial sewing machines from a United States-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) to boost household incomes.
The beneficiaries underwent year-long mentorship, where participants acquired sewing and business skills to help them in running their own businesses.
The beneficiaries are congregants of the Ugandan Martyrs Catholic Church in Luveve.
The machines were officially handed over on Sunday during a graduation ceremony, where the US-based Courageous Women in Action (CWIA), announced plans to expand the programme to reach more women.
One of the beneficiaries, 70-year-old widow Grace Nehumba, recalled how she was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of a mentorship and entrepreneurship programme aimed at empowering underprivileged women in Luveve.
“I had sewing skills, but I was using them anymore because I did not have a machine,” she said.
“After losing my husband, I had to find ways of earning a living and I decided to grow vegetables at our local garden for sale in Luveve.
“The area was small hence I could not make much. I struggled to put food on the table for my grandchildren. My house accumulated a huge council debt.”
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To qualify, participants were required to demonstrate commitment, skill and the ability to generate income through the machines.
The mentorship included the issuance of progress reports every three months.
Sheila Mguni (73), another beneficiary, shared how the programme sharpened her entrepreneurial thinking.
“Second-hand clothing has made it a big challenge for us who are into sewing, but after sitting down and pondering how I could earn from this trade, I decided to focus on school clothing,” Mguni said.
“I have been producing uniforms and other related wear for young learners and the community has been supportive, buying from me.
“The mentorship allowed me to face challenges that would have otherwise floored me and also to think outside the box.”
Another beneficiary, Susan Masheka-Kashiri, echoed similar sentiments.
“I receive orders from various customers and I have also been sewing sheets, which has supplemented my income from my other business,” she said.
“I’m thrilled to have been given the machine as initially we did not believe we would end up owning the machines.”
CWIA president Hetty Asiodu confirmed the expansion of the programme with the donation of 20 industrial sewing machines worth over US$50 000.
“We were happy with the first group of five who managed to complete the programme and have graduated, thus we decided we are going to expand the class and we brought 20 more machines allowing us to recruit a bigger class,” she said.
“Those who were in the previous class will play a big role in mentoring the new ones after they did very well.”
CWIA also donated materials including fabrics, sewing patterns, glasses and an overlocking machine.
The CWIA team from the US includes Lindsey Copeland — who also visited the country two years ago — LaQuesha Agnew, Marie Pitt, Alexa Pitt and Horace Pitt.
