By Semerian Sankori | Executive Director
Dear friends,
You made this happen.
Because of your support, women and girls in rural Maasai communities are gaining practical tailoring skills, building confidence and creating new pathways towards earning an income.
What began with 19 learners has now reached 44 women and girls. At the current reporting point, 31 learners are progressing through three levels of training, while four former learners have moved into employment or self-employment.
Skills That Open Doors
The women are learning far more than how to sew. Through practical training, mentorship and peer learning, they are developing skills to produce shirts, shorts, dresses, trousers, Maasai attire and eco-friendly bags using recycled and upcycled materials. Advanced learners are increasingly able to work independently, while those still developing their skills receive close support.
The most encouraging change is seeing skills begin to translate into livelihoods.
Four former learners have transitioned into employment or self-employment, using their tailoring skills to earn a living within and beyond their communities. Others are earning through garment repairs, bag sales, production orders and small commissions.
Between May and July 2026, 24 women received KES 149,900 in direct labour and production payments. While income is still dependent on the availability of orders, this represents an important step from learning a skill towards earning from it.
More Than a Sewing Skill
For the women participating, gaining a practical skill can mean greater confidence, greater choice and the possibility of earning without depending entirely on others.
One learner described the change simply: before joining the programme, she did not believe she could make clothes independently. Today, she can produce garments and bags and earn money through clothing repairs in her community.
Meeting Challenges Together
The journey has not been without challenges. Prolonged dry conditions have placed additional pressure on households, leading some women to temporarily leave training in search of immediate income. Because tailoring earnings depend on receiving orders, particularly for bags, training does not always provide an immediate source of cash.
We are continuing to follow up with learners, provide flexible opportunities to re-engage and strengthen production opportunities so that skills can lead to more reliable income.
Your support is helping women move from learning to earning, from uncertainty to opportunity, and from dependence towards greater economic independence.
Thank you for believing in their potential and helping make these opportunities possible.
With gratitude and hope,
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