Baraka Women's Center (BWC), a community-based organization, opened in Nairobi in 2012 to provide the most vulnerable women rise out of poverty through vocational training and life skills support. Dressmaking and Tailoring is one of the core programs. Since its inception, the six-month course has graduated 150 women. BWC is certified by the Kenyan National Industrial Training Agency, providing trainees with an important credential to start a business or secure gainful employment.
Our work is embedded in environments marked by political instability, poverty, and gendered violence. Many of our community members are survivors of trauma and conflict-related violence, making emotional and psychological safety critical. A safe environment with opportunities to learn income producing skills is essential for individual progress
This project is part of an integrated approach to the needs of vulnerable women, supporting their learning with life-skills support, health education, and mentoring in the realities of managing a profitable small business or seeking gainful employment.
Some extraordinary design talent has emerged and we are eager to build a presence in the world of African clothing design. The skills training provides a pool of long-term employable craftswomen for BMFA, Baraka's textile business. Professional trade organization have sponsored and promoted BMFA's attendance at trade exhibitions. The company also sells its products through a retail outlet in Thika. An anticipated business expansion requires phasing in new team members.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
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