Fatshimetrie, September 16, 2024 – In a commendable gesture aimed at promoting the empowerment of vulnerable girls in Kananga, in the heart of Kasai Central in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a non-profit association (Asbl) recently donated cutting and sewing kits and their accessories to a group of young women during a vocational training session.
Nathalie Kambala Luse, Country Director of the Association ‘’Femme Mains dans la Main pour le développement Intégral’’ (FMMDI), highlighted the importance of this initiative by stating: “We have provided these participants with complete cutting and sewing kits, including sewing machines, fabrics, threads and other essential accessories. Our goal is to provide them with the means to pursue vocational training independently.”
She then added: “This training will allow them to acquire a profession that will ensure their financial independence, thus keeping them away from any form of dependency and precarious situations. It is also about protecting them from the risks linked to vulnerability, both psychologically and physically.”
Mrs. Bertine Mputu, representative of the provincial Minister of Gender, Family and Children, encouraged the beneficiaries of the kits to make the most of this opportunity, stressing the importance of regularity and commitment to their training. “By investing fully in this training, you will take your destiny in hand and will be able to successfully integrate the job market, by offering value-added services to your community,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Ngalula Kayembe, expressed her gratitude to the FMMDI Association for offering her the opportunity to participate in this three-month training in cutting and sewing. She highlighted the positive impact that this opportunity will have on her empowerment, thanks to the support of the KOICA project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The trainer of the FMMDI vocational training center, Ms. Auxilié Kambala, proudly recalled that this training was the twelfth of its kind, intended for vulnerable girls identified by the association to provide them with skills in cutting and sewing, and thus promote their socio-economic integration.
This noble action of the non-profit organization “Femme Mains dans la Main pour le développement Intégral” demonstrates once again the importance of supporting and encouraging the empowerment of women, particularly those who are in vulnerable situations. By providing them with the means to train and develop professionally, this initiative helps to strengthen their self-confidence, thus enabling them to become agents of change in their community.