Project Description
“Okutunga mu Bikolwa” (Tailoring in Action) program is an initiative aimed at empowering vulnerable girls, young mothers, and widows. The program aims to provide tailoring skills and small business management knowledge to help these women establish sustainable businesses.
The program aims to address the economic challenges faced by vulnerable women through skills training and business support. It focuses on equipping participants with tailoring skills, business management knowledge, and the necessary resources to start and sustain their own tailoring businesses. By fostering a supportive community, the program seeks to create a platform for women to learn, network, and collaborate.
Challenges
- Resource Constraints: Limited funding and access to resources may hinder the program's effectiveness.
- Social Stigma: Overcoming societal biases and discrimination against vulnerable women could pose a challenge.
- Market Competition: Ensuring the sustainability of the businesses in a competitive market may be a challenge.
Solutions
- Partnerships: Collaborating with institutions and businesses for resources and support.
- Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness programs to address social stigma and promote inclusivity.
- Market Research: Conducting market analysis to identify niche opportunities and develop competitive strategies.
Project Breakdown
- Tailoring Training (30%): Comprehensive training on design, cutting, sewing, and finishing.
- Small Business Management Training (20%):Training on financial management, marketing, customer service, and record-keeping.
- Certification (10%): Issuing certificates upon completion of the training program.
- Business Start-Up Support (25%): Providing seed capital, equipment, and mentorship for business establishment.
- Community Building (15%): Creating a supportive network for peer learning and collaboration
Scope
- Tailoring Training: Comprehensive training on design, cutting, sewing, and finishing techniques. (6 months)
- Certification: Issuing certificates upon successful completion of the training program.
- Small Business Management Training: Training on financial management, marketing, customer service, and record-keeping.
- Business Start-Up Support: Providing seed capital, equipment, and mentorship for establishing tailoring businesses.
- Community Building: Creating a supportive network for peer learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Definition of "Done"
30 participants have successfully completed the tailoring (and small business management training programs) and received their certificates.
- The top 10 performers have been provided with tailoring machines, seed capital, and ongoing mentorship to establish their tailoring businesses.
- A comprehensive learning material, including tailoring techniques and small business management, has been created and made available through an online platform or physical resource center.
- A supportive community network has been established, facilitating peer learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among the participants.
- The first batch of products from the participants' businesses has been successfully sold in the market.
- Increased income for vulnerable girls, young mothers, and widows. This increased income will enable them to afford basic needs such as food, housing, education, and healthcare for themselves and their families.
- Improved self-esteem and confidence for vulnerable girls, young mothers, and widows. This improved self- esteem and confidence will help them to overcome social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges that they face in their communities.
- Increased economic empowerment for vulnerable girls, young mothers, and widows. This increased economic empowerment will help them to become self-reliant, independent entrepreneurs who can contribute positively to their communities development.
