We have seen many success stories amongst the women we work with. Tausi, who is a part of the first group we began working with in 2007, is a mother of 9 and a widow. When we first met, she was heartbroken that 2 of her children had to live in an orphanage because she could not care for all of them. She was one of the most dedicated and driven women of the group, a natural leader, and began taking the classes each week with her teacher, Sarah. Within a year and a half later, Tausi and a friend, Alisha, had bought a machine of their own together, had been purchasing dresses in the market to alter and re-sell, and were bringing other women into the classes to learn what they had. Tausi was proud to tell me that she had brought both of her children home from the orphanage. Click to see more about Tausi’s and Alisha’s story.
Sewing and tailoring skills are some of the most popular and desired skills in Uganda, due to the fact that once a man or woman has her own machine, this work can be done either in a marketplace, or while at home caring for children. There is also a continual need, as small repairs/alterations or products like the traditional gomas or baby clothes are always in demand. Once one has these skills, and a basic set of tools, he/she has them for life, and will always have a source of small to large income for his/her family.
Over the past 4 years, Fount volunteers have taught over 15 seminars on topics such as basic machine care, bag-making, hand embroidery, men’s shirts, men’s pants, and basic business skills. Fount has provided salaries for several teachers, sent 3 teachers to a local machine-embroidery class, and are currently working to help establish markets for the groups we work with.
Vocational Development
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