Self-Sufficiency for Young Women, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone--Women learning to sew in a CWS-supported program. Photo: YWCA/SL |
Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in Sierra Leone
Twenty-two women in Freetown, age 16 to 30--some of them raising children on their own--are learning basic tailoring and other skills, with the help of Church World Service and partner the Young Women's Christian Association in Sierra Leone. With these skills, they are earning wages and providing for themselves and their families.
In order to meet the market demands, weaving, tie-dyeing, beadwork, and crochet work were added to the tailoring curriculum. The students are quick learners, and are earning income from the sale of their handiwork.
The women are also learning English and mathematics, skills needed when they go into business for themselves. HIV/AIDS awareness education was added to the curriculum, too, to give the young women accurate information so they can better safeguard their health.
Even as the women learn they earn. Each is paid for the uniforms, aprons, and children's clothing she produces while learning how to sew.
Church World Service has worked with partners in Sierra Leone for some 20 years, helping to provide emergency assistance during the civil war, and development and recovery assistance after.
Support for Church World Service helps make this program possible.
Updated 4/16/2007
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