A Story of Hope: The Upendo Sewing Group

With MPA’s grants, our Vocational Skills Training groups are continually strengthening and expanding. Since the formation of these small self­help groups, a few groups use commercial equipment to sew school uniforms to sell to area schools. As well one group operates a sunflower oil press, offering the services of the press to neighboring farmers. Additionally, one group is learning woodworking skills to make beautiful doors and furniture for the hotel industry in Zanzibar.

Proceeds from the group projects are each shared by the members of the group as well as utilized to continue the growth of the project.

As one of several group projects, the Upendo uniform sewing project has now been operating for over 2 years since the project started. The members have bought machines and began production successfully. They have received orders from different schools to provide all the children’s uniforms, and the women are working hard to fulfill these orders and increase their business production.