By UWIZEYIMANA JEAN DAMASCENE | Project Leader
Dear Patron,
We are pleased to share an update on our project aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods for 25 marginalized girls aged 15–35 through vocational skills training. This initiative focuses on fashion designing, sewing, handicraft production, and handbag making. The program primarily targets out-of-school girls, street girls, orphans, and adolescent mothers who face significant barriers to education and employment.
Many marginalized young women experience severe economic hardship and unemployment. Without access to opportunities, some are pushed toward unsafe survival strategies such as prostitution, theft, or other harmful activities. The situation became even more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased poverty levels and reduced employment opportunities. Out-of-school girls remain particularly vulnerable to exploitation, gender-based violence, and unwanted pregnancies due to poverty and lack of alternatives.
This project aims to address these challenges through poverty reduction and behavioral transformation by providing practical vocational training. The program will train 25 girls in sewing and fashion design, while also teaching handicraft and handbag production. In addition, participants will gain basic entrepreneurial skills that will help them generate income and become financially independent.
Through these activities, participants will gain confidence, practical skills, and employment opportunities that can improve their lives and the well-being of their families.
In the long term, the project seeks to establish a self-sustaining cooperative of trained women. This cooperative will allow participants to work together, support each other, and expand their economic opportunities. The cooperative will save and reinvest 50% of all income generated to ensure sustainability and future growth of the initiative.
We are grateful to share the current fundraising progress for the project:
Total Goal: $10,000
Funds Raised: $233
Funds Remaining: $9,767
Number of Donors: 9
Fundraisers: 1
We sincerely thank our generous donors who have already contributed to this important initiative. Your support is helping create hope and opportunity for vulnerable young women.
Once the full funding is secured, the next steps will include procurement of sewing machines and training materials, recruitment and registration of 25 beneficiaries, vocational training sessions, establishment of the cooperative production unit, and support for marketing and selling the products made by the participants.
Thank you for your continued support and belief in this mission. Together, we are helping marginalized young women build dignity, independence, and a better future for themselves and their families.
Sincerely,
Jean Damascene
Project Leader
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