IN an economy where pensions are a pittance and social safety nets for the elderly are minimal one has no option but to keep eking out a living even well after retirement age.
For some widows in Luveve suburb struggling to make ends meet, an opportunity has arisen to ‘sew’ themselves out of poverty following the handover of industrial sewing machines by a non-governmental organisation based in the United States.
The five beneficiaries revealed they had been sitting on their skills and talents due to lack of adequate machinery and the five Typical industrial sewing machines they have been allocated will see them put their abilities into action.
Courageous Women In Action (CWIA) decided to donate the machines following a plea by some members of the Ugandan Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Luveve.
One of the beneficiaries, Nothabo Mlotshwa (45) said she has been struggling to make ends meet after leaving her employ at a hotel in Gweru during a period she lost her mother who had been looking after her children in Bulawayo.
She revealed she had dabbled with dressmaking as a career before switching to hotel and catering.
“The hotel I was working for struggled to pay me and after my mother passed away I had to come back to Bulawayo to take care of my two children.
“Now that I have a sewing machine, I will use my skills to earn a living for my family and assist the community through mentoring I thank God for answering my prayers through this project. I have been looking for such an opportunity for a long time,” said Mlotshwa who revealed she was currently earning a living from selling groceries.
Sheila Mguni (71) said when her husband passed away she had three school-going children to take care of and luckily she was employed and managed to see them through school.
“One of my kids was in secondary school, one primary and the other crèche so it was difficult but I managed to pay their fees as I was employed.
“I managed to buy a small hand sewing machine and did some sewing but its capacity was limited, I’m happy that I will now be utilising an industrial machine that has a bigger capacity.
“ It will allow me to delve deeper into sewing be more creative and certainly earn more from my skill,” she said.
Grace Nehumba (68) said her husband encouraged her to enroll for a dressmaking course, which she completed but then had a disabled child which prevented her from fully immersing herself in the craft.
She expressed delight at being chosen as one of the beneficiaries adding she will use the project to fulfil her dream of being a full-time tailor and hopes to earn her keep from the machine.
Other beneficiaries of the project include Josephine Pondamare (63) and Eunita Bera (71).
CWIA founder, Dr Hetty Asiodu, who is Nigerian but based in the United States, said they reacted to the plea following interactions with Lot Water Project founder, Innocent Hadebe, whose organisation last year installed a borehole at the church.
She revealed her entity was focused on assisting women and young girls.
“Empowering a woman is critical because it filters to the society, even homes are happy and strong when a woman is empowered.
“We knew we had to act when we received the request and we bought the five Typical industrial sewing machines which are strong and have a bigger capacity.
“This will allow the women to work more, produce more and showcase their talent,” she said.
Dr Asiodu revealed through the programme they hope to see the beneficiaries mentor young girls in the community especially those who might be interested in sewing.
She said initially the machines will be stationed at the church where the women will have full access to them but after a year they will be given full ownership.
“We want them to show commitment and not just take the machine and store it at home or rent it out.
“We will have a mentoring programme as we monitor them and at the end of the year, the deserving will take the machines home,” said Asiodu.
She was accompanied by three colleagues, Avery Spratlin, Lindsay Copeland and Penny Wilkie.
Spratlin encouraged the women to look beyond their difficult circumstances but find comfort in God and use the project to improve their livelihoods and also impact on the community.
Wilkie took the women through some pattern-making lessons as she showed them various patterns CWIA had brought and how they can be creative in coming up with unique products.
Copeland urged the beneficiaries to ensure they run their enterprises like businesses and employ business techniques such as proper accounting, keeping records and also coming up with unique marketing methods that will ensure a steady flow of customers.
CWIA also donated accessories such as irons, pins, patterns, thread and fabric, valued at R10 000, to the women.
