Empowered women are finding freedom
HopeCo launched a women’s empowerment program in 2017, giving women the life skills and training that help them care for themselves and provide for their families. Here are the stories of two of the amazing young women being served…
After Mariam’s father passed away, she and her five siblings were left to live with their disabled and abusive mother. Each day Mariam spent hours weeding people’s farms as she tried to earn a pittance of money to buy food for her family. Some days, the entire family had to get food rations from a church near their home just to survive.
Mariam was forced to drop out of secondary school because she could not afford the fees. Then, in April 2020, a friend told Mariam about a sewing program at City of Hope. She is now learning quickly and becoming a gifted seamstress - and has also moved out of home to live with a fellow classmate in the program.
“I am looking forward to mastering the skills so that I can get my own workshop and make money to support myself and my family,” Mariam says.
Like Mariam, Josephine has also experienced immense pain in her life. After being married at the age of 16 and having three children, her husband sent her away so that he could marry another woman. Josephine lived with her parents for a few years but, unable to earn an income, she had to remarry in order to repay her dowry back to her former husband.
Sadly, her second marriage was also full of struggle as she and her husband were barely able to survive. All hope seemed lost for Josephine. But then, during one of her trips to her parents, her mother told her about the sewing program at City of Hope - and Josephine showed up the very next morning to start learning!
“This is a great opportunity for me and my family as I will be able to earn an income and provide for my family and pay fees for my children. May God help me to master the skills soon. So far I know how to make dresses, shirts, ladies’ tops, and skirts! I am looking forward to learning different designs as I plan to open my own workshop after I graduate,” says Josephine as she reflects on her participation in the program.
Tragically, Mariam and Josephine’s experiences are often the reality for women in East Africa as they face abuse, fear, and a lack of opportunities to access basic education and healthcare. These two incredible women - along with the others that are part of our program (see picture left) - have overcome tremendous obstacles and are now learning about Christ, gaining business skills, and growing in confidence!
Please consider purchasing a sewing machine as a gift for one of these young women as they are given new hope for the future!