30 young women receive sewing machines after completing Hope Atelier – Fashion for Empowerment programme

DAR ES SALAAM: Thirty young women who completed the first cohort of the The Hope Atelier – Fashion for Empowerment programme have received sewing machines and other equipment to enable them to start businesses and become self-employed in the fashion industry.

The equipment was handed over to the graduates at a ceremony held at the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) in Dar es Salaam, marking the completion of more than 40 days of training in tailoring, fashion design, entrepreneurship and embroidery.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mkuranga District Administrative Secretary Omary Mwanga said the equipment would help transform the lives of the graduates by enabling them to start sewing businesses, including from their homes.

He said some of the beneficiaries had also received financial support to provide them with initial capital for starting their businesses.

Mr Mwanga said the programme was expected to translate the skills acquired by the graduates into sustainable livelihoods by enabling them to become skilled and innovative tailors and fashion designers capable of serving customers within and outside Tanzania.

He also urged the graduates to make effective use of social media to promote their products and services, saying digital platforms provide an opportunity to reach customers beyond their immediate communities.

“Social media should not be used for entertainment only. It can also be used to promote your businesses and reach customers in Dar es Salaam, other regions and even outside the country,” he said.

For her part, Dr Salma Idd, Co-Director of Sisters in Imani, said the programme was designed to empower young people through practical training in tailoring, fashion design and entrepreneurship.

She said the organisers expected the skills gained through the programme to become a source of income for the graduates and enable them to establish sustainable businesses.

Some of the graduates said the training had improved their skills and given them the confidence and foundation needed to pursue self-employment.

They pledged to make effective use of the equipment they had received to produce quality products and develop their businesses.

The The Hope Atelier – Fashion for Empowerment programme was implemented through collaboration between Sisters in Imani, Fashion for Empowerment, MUA by Shiba, trainers from India and VETA.

The first cohort comprised 30 young people who underwent more than 40 days of training in tailoring, fashion design and embroidery.

The organisers said they planned to establish additional cohorts to provide similar skills and entrepreneurship opportunities to more young people.