Empowering and Equipping Women
Women face a dire situation in Tanzania and Kenya. In 2017, HopeCo launched our first Women's Empowerment Program (WEP) at the City of Hope with the vision of empowering vulnerable women with skills that would help them grow as individuals and provide for their families. The program has been so successful that we expanded across the border into Kenya in 2020, enrolling 12 women! In the August of 2024, we opened our third WEP location – our second in Tanzania – enrolling nine young women (read more of their story below.)
The women are taught sewing and business skills, and can now earn an income from this! The empowerment program is about more than just sewing, though - it is about giving these women hope, confidence, and the ability to earn a living.
Sewing skills
Each woman who enters the program is taught sewing skills that will allow them to earn an income and provide for their families. They learn how to sew dresses, skirts, pants, school uniforms, and so much more!
Empowerment
In addition to learning how to sew, the women are taught business skills that will equip them with the knowledge needed to open their own business if they desire. Some have already done this!
spiritual care
The empowerment programs allow us to equip women with valuable skills, but it also provides us with the opportunity to offer spiritual and emotional care - and we get to share the the Good News of the Gospel!
Empowering Women with Skills and Hope for the Future!
We are grateful to God, every time we see progress in the life of the young women enrolled in our Women’s Empowerment Program! Every step they take forward in learning a new skill to better provide for themselves and their young children is a step away from poverty, dependency, and suppression.
In August 2024, we were excited to receive and admit nine new young girls! These girls have experienced horrific challenges ranging from negative culture and traumatic tribal traditions to extreme poverty, teen pregnancy, and more.
As they realized this was the start of a new chapter in their lives, one could almost touch the optimism in the air during orientation day!
“Thanks to HopeCo, armed with this skill, we can now face the future more confidently,” shares Rachel*, WEP trainee.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
“These young women start from a point of “zero knowledge” in sewing and are soon adorned in their own designs. They are a picture of resilience, hard work, and determination. Some go on to establish their own business. We are honored to have this program for women as it brings joy and blessings to their families – transforming lives and communities. ”
Empower a Woman, Change a Family
Will you join us in empowering women in Tanzania and Kenya? More than 80 women have been provided training with since the program’s inception, with more than 90 percent of our graduates now using their newfound skills to generate an income.
Through training and care, these women are now confident and able to earn income to support themselves and their families. This is incredible news, as many women never get the opportunity to run a business or generate income in these communities.
Here’s How You can partner with the WOmen’s Empowerment Program:
PURCHASE a sewing machine and sewing supplies and change a woman’s life. Your gift will help a vulnerable woman learn skills and provide for her family!
GIVE a gift of any amount to the Women’s Empowerment Program to help train more women with a marketable skill. More women are waiting to enter this program.
PRAY for our staff as they train and minister to the women in this program. Pray for each woman to learn about their Heavenly Father and to experience Christ’s love. Pray for the women to feel equipped, confident, and full of purpose.
SERVE by coming on a mission team or as a volunteer to City of Hope, and spending time encouraging these women.