In an effort to uplift and empower marginalized communities, the Opolot Fred Foundation, in partnership with the Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and social Development, has donated a significant number of tailoring machines to Okidi Women Tailoring Group and Ojera Guild Women’s Group.
The groups with a total membership of 125, received 11 Tailoring machines including 5 manual machines and 7 heavy duty electric sewing machines.
The Ministry facilitated a one-day financial management training conducted at their headquarters in Kampala.
This initiative is designed to foster skills development and promote self-reliance among vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth.
The donation ceremony, held at Omiria Primary school in Labor Subcounty Serere District, was attended by key stakeholders, government officials including State Minister Disaster Preparedness (Hon. Lilian Aber), State Minister Fisheries and Serere District Woman MP (Hon. Hellen Adoa), Ngora County MP (Hon. Achoyo Juliet Lodou), plus representatives from the Opolot Fred Foundation, and beneficiaries.
The event underscored the importance of collaboration between non-governmental organizations and government bodies in addressing socio-economic challenges.
Hon.Fred Opolot, Board Chairman of the Opolot Fred Foundation, expressed his commitment to community development through practical and sustainable interventions.
“We believe in the power of skills training as a catalyst for economic empowerment. By providing these tailoring machines, we are not just giving equipment; we are offering a pathway to financial independence and a better quality of life for many families,” Opolot stated.
Miss. Faith Amoding, Chairperson Okidi Women Tailoring group thanked the Foundation and government of Uganda for financial knowledge and equipment.
“With these new machines, we can equip more youths and improve the quality of our courses. This support is crucial for us especially since we only had manual machines,” Amoding said.
Mrs. Ikiror Omaido, Chairperson Ojera Guilds women group, Kidetok shared the struggles they’ve gone through for now owning tailoring machines.
” our women with tailoring skills have for long relied on hiring of machines to make clothes they vend at weekly markets within and outside the district. However, the lack of machines means the little profit we get most of it goes to hiring of machines. This has also affected output size. This new machines are a great relief, we will save more from our profits and also increase on number of clothes made,” Ms. Omaido stated.
The Minister of Labour and Gender Development, who officiated the ceremony, highlighted the government’s dedication to improving vocational training infrastructure. “This partnership is a testament to our ongoing efforts to enhance skills development in Uganda. Tailoring is a valuable skill that can generate income and employment opportunities, especially for women and youth who often face limited prospects,” the Minister remarked.
Beneficiaries of the donation expressed their gratitude, noting that the tailoring machines would significantly enhance their training programs.
“With these new machines, we can train more students and improve the quality of our courses. This support is crucial for us to meet the demands of the job market,” said a representative from one of the vocational centers.
The initiative aligns with the broader national goals of poverty reduction and gender equality. By equipping individuals with practical skills, the program aims to reduce dependency and encourage entrepreneurship.
Moving forward, the Foundation plans to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries and provide additional support where needed. This includes follow-up training sessions, maintenance of the machines, and exploring further opportunities for collaboration to expand the impact of their efforts.
Mr. Patrick Eretu, Foundation’s Chief Operations Officer says this kind of partnership is a significant step towards empowering communities through skill development. It is a beacon of hope for many, illustrating the profound impact of strategic and partnerships in driving socio-economic progress.
