Blandina Pahuwa, a 31-year-old happily married lady, joined the group of 2024/2025 Tailoring Training Programme. She lives at Nchancha village with her husband, an Agricultural Extension worker in the community, and three children. Life is tough for the young couple as they raise their little children between the ages of four and ten while depending on the husband’s meagre monthly salary. She was looking for a way to help her husband by raising additional funds.
Although others doing the Tailoring Course were younger than her, she did not feel out of place. Her enthusiasm motivated her to work hard and she was very focused in order to reach her target. In less than three months she began producing clothes for her husband, her children and herself. Soon her neighbours, attracted by the clothes she produced for her family, began to patronize her.
In addition to the tailoring, Fashion and Design, she took part in training on soap making and local Fabric Design. The group also had an introduction to ‘Small Business Management’ from the local Community Development Assistant. This has helped them in setting up their own business after the course. After graduation, Blandina received her own sewing machine and now works from her home. To supplement her income when she has no orders for clothes, she makes various styles of bags that are popular with the people.
Having acquired all these skills, Blandina is happy to see her dreams coming true and the family’s financial challenges gradually reducing. Lately I invited her to help us by giving a motivational talk to the current group of students, which she was happy to do. Seeing her success was a good inspiration for them to work hard for a better future.
Sr. Monica Ichife, Konzalendo.
