By Khelef Nassor
Fatma is a young woman from Chake-Chake,
Pemba, whose journey reflects resilience, hope, and
transformation. After completing her secondary education - Form Four at
Shamiani Secondary School, Fatma had high hopes for her future. However,
reality hit hard when she found herself at home, unemployed, and without any
income-generating activity. With no source of financial independence, she
struggled emotionally and economically, feeling increasingly uncertain about
her path forward.
After completing her Form Four education, Fatma
remained at home without any income-generating activity. This situation left
her in distress, as she struggled to meet her personal needs and felt powerless
due to her financial dependence. The lack of opportunities not only affected
her economically but also emotionally, as she longed for a sense of purpose.
One evening, while visiting a friend known as Samha Ali, Fatma’s
life took a turn for the better. During their conversation, she learned about
training opportunities provided by Norwegian
Church Aid - NCA under the Swahili Coast Project funded by Norwegian Embassy,
specifically on tailoring. Instantly, she knew this was the opportunity she had
been waiting for.
Without
hesitation, Fatma followed all the necessary procedures, including writing an
application letter to NCA’s office. Her commitment and determination paid off she
was successfully enrolled in a three-month tailoring training course aimed at
empowering young women and youth.
During the training, Fatma was introduced to
foundational tailoring skills. She learned how to read measuring tapes, take
body measurements, cut fabric accurately, and eventually sew complete garments.
Her journey began by using newspapers to practice patterns before progressing
to real fabric, and she gradually advanced to sewing actual clothes for women
and children.
Upon completion of the course, Fatma emerged with
formal skills in tailoring. She describes this moment as a turning point in her
life the time when she transitioned from being idle to becoming a productive
and self-reliant young woman. Her new skill gave her not only a source of
income but also restored her confidence.
"When I was just sitting at home with nothing to
do, I felt like my life was stuck. But when I joined the tailoring training, I
found new hope. Now I have a skill that gives me purpose, hope and an
income." said Fatma.
Fatma chose to specialize in sewing women's clothing,
having identified a high market demand in Pemba. Her designs are now gaining
popularity within her community, and she is beginning to establish a loyal
customer base. She sees this niche as a sustainable path to long-term economic
empowerment.
Financially,
her progress is remarkable. What once seemed impossible is now a reality Fatma
earns approximately Tsh 100,000
per month, which was unimaginable before she joined the
training. With each passing day, her reputation grows, and she remains hopeful
that her monthly income will continue to increase.
"I never imagined I could earn this much. Now I
make around Tsh 100,000/ a month, and I believe it will only get better,"
she said
"Every piece of clothing I sew is proof that my
life has changed. I’ve learned that you don’t need an office job to succeed even
a small talent can lift you up." She added
Her mother, Bi Amina Ayoub Mohammed,
recalls how difficult that period was for their family. Seeing her daughter
idle at home without any opportunity to move forward in life caused her
sleepless nights. As a parent, she worried about Fatma’s mental well-being and
her vulnerability to negative societal influences.
"Every
day I would see my daughter just sitting at home, with no job and no hope. It
was very painful for me as a parent. But now my heart is full of joy. Fatma has
a skill, she is independent, and she is respected in the community. I thank God
and all those who helped her especially NCA for opening this path for
her," said Bi Khadija joyfully.
Fatma
with her mother, Bi Amina Ayoub, and sister at their home sharing a moment of
togetherness and support in their daily life
According to Doreen Bwogi, the NCA
Project Coordinator for the Swahili Coast Project,
Fatma represents exactly the kind of impact the organization aims to achieve.
“Fatma’s journey is a beautiful example of how a single opportunity can
transform a life. Through her hard work, she has become a role model for other
young women in Pemba showing that with the right support, economic empowerment
is possible even in the face of adversity.”
Doreen
adds, “We are proud of Fatma’s progress and resilience. She has not only
created a source of income for herself, but she’s also contributing to social
stability by avoiding risky behaviors and inspiring others to pursue skills
that bring dignity and independence. We see her as a future trainer and leader
in her community”.
Looking
ahead, Fatma dreams of expanding her tailoring business. Her goal is to
establish a formal tailoring shop that not only boosts her economic status but
also serves as a training center for other women. She envisions a space where
she can teach tailoring skills to others for a fee thereby creating a ripple
effect of empowerment in her community.
Fatma said "My dream is to open a tailoring shop
and help other women learn this skill. I don’t want to succeed alone; I want my
journey to be a path for others too."
The NCA
Project Coordinator for the Swahili Coast Project, Doreen Bwogi, alongside
Fatma during a follow-up on her progress
Despite
her success, Fatma faces challenges, the biggest being a shortage of sewing
machines, which slows down her productivity. She appeals for
support to acquire more equipment to scale up her work. Fatma strongly believes
that tailoring has shielded her from risky behaviours' and extremist groups by
keeping her engaged and self-reliant. She encourages other youths to pursue
practical skills and stay away from harmful influences that can disrupt peace
in the community.
Fatma’s story is powerful
evidence of the transformative impact of skills training for
youth and women. Through opportunity, determination, and support, she has
redefined her future from economic despair to becoming a beacon of resilience
and inspiration in Pemba.
The "Swahili Coast Project" aims to build community resilience
in Southern Tanzania by promoting interfaith dialogue, youth economic
empowerment, and strengthened gender and reproductive health. It focuses on
creating inclusive spaces for peace discussions, addressing gender issues like
teenage pregnancies through advocacy, and reducing drivers of conflict. Key
outcomes include youth accessing economic opportunities, enhanced dialogue on
conflict prevention, addressing root causes of conflict, and improving Sexual
Reproductive Health Rights-SRHR for women and adolescents.
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