How UK supporters have provided livelihoods in tailoring to some of Zambia's most vulnerable families
We are delighted to report the first cohort of 14 incredibly impoverished single mums have graduated from our first-ever vocational tailoring programme at our primary school in a fragile rural region of Zambia.
They are now ready to get out of the poverty trap by selling clothes they can make themselves. All thanks to Kids Alive's UK supporters who funded the project!
The school had been planning to implement a family strengthening programme for some time. The goal was to provide training to the most vulnerable families to help them develop sustainable livelihoods.
This would enable them to better support their children through secondary education after they are no longer under our care (a staggering 44% of Zambia girls drop out of secondary school before the age of 16).
As well as poverty, one of the reasons girls drop out of school is due to a lack of menstrual hygiene facilities. So the mums from the tailoring project also make re-usable sanitary pads making them accessible to hundreds of girls in the region.
About 95% of the children that come to Kids Alive Academy are from vulnerable families that can only afford a meal or two per day. The meal that the school provides is an additional supplement to relieve the parents from the burden of searching for more food and allows the children to concentrate in class.
Women remain vulnerable as many homes are headed by them with no support from their children's fathers.
The parents are dedicated to creating a variety of clothing items, including skirts, shirts, school uniforms, and sanitary cloths. In addition to creating clothes for themselves and their children, these women are eager to expand their skills, uplift their families, and contribute to their communities.
Along with learning tailoring skills, the programme also offers training in business management, with a special focus on finances. This is crucial for participants coming from impoverished backgrounds, as it helps them learn to plan and save money for future stock. The programme is increasingly emphasising this area, especially as participants become more proficient at producing items and start selling them.
As part of their training, they also dedicate 30 minutes to spiritual growth, engaging with a pastor who guides them in studying the word of God. With access to Bibles, they find unity in their Christian faith across denominations.
The Zambian government's recent decision to introduce vocational training in all schools creates an excellent opportunity to incorporate the tailoring project, which will deliver benefits for both students and parents.
It really is a win-win project. Thank you for your part in enabling us to make this happen!
"...because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them."Job 29: 12
Posted by Lynne Edmunds on August 21st 2024
Postal address: Kids Alive International, PO Box 1529, Stamford, PE2 2YD.
Registered address: Kids Alive International, 12 Greenhill Rents, London, EC1M 6BN
Telephone: 07873 550968 | Registered Charity: 1140641 (England & Wales)
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