When women are empowered, they inspire change, break barriers, and create a stronger, more equal world for everyone. Aqidah* is part of the Women’s Empowerment Center and learning sewing and stitching from this center.

Aqidah belongs to a neglected and underprivileged community. She traveled from her village to the city to learn about stitching. She believed that once she learns, she will go back to her village, where she can also open a Sewing Center for the women of her village. Aqidah said, “My village is very far from the city and I never had an opportunity to learn this skill. When I heard from my relatives about this, I asked my parents if I should go and learn this. No one agreed to send me, but when I talked with my father, he agreed. I came to learn about sewing, but there was something more here.

“When I learned through the Transformational Community Development (TCD) training about the importance of ownership and development, my whole ideology was changed. I just came to learn about sewing but I learned how to develop the communities. Now I believe, through these training sessions, my whole village will be developed. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity.”

*For the purpose of safety and wellbeing, “Aqidah” is a pseudonym for the individual being helped by this project.

Thank you!

Written by Salim, GHNI Partner