Eunice proudly displays a drape she has made.Tailor.
Her family sacrificed!
Eunice learned her trade at age 14 when she enrolled at a Village Polytechnic, one of the many vocational schools established across the country in the 1980’s to cater for people who could not access high school education. It was at the time expensive for her family: 570 shillings ($70) per year. Her father allowed the polytechnic, where he worked, to recover the fees out of his pay, while the family managed on reduced income. Today Eunice has her own business, along with her cousin John, tailoring curtains, table cloths and linens.
She is so good in her profession she can even teach the trade!
A woman of compassion
Eunice supports one orphan, the only child of a friend of hers, and four biological children as well as contributing to the support of six nephews and nieces, also orphaned, who live upcountry. All her children are in school, except for the eldest who now weaves mats for a living and helps to support the other children, but she is not yet able to afford the school fees for her children.
Through Village of Love, her business is growing
Eunice joined Kijiji Cha Upendo (Village of Love) in 2012. Along with 29 other orphan caregivers she discovered how the organization operates, and learned of the many opportunities given for studying best business practices and gaining skills in parenting orphans. She became part of a sisterhood of support and caring!Now Eunice offers almost a One Stop Shop!
She and John used to take orders and purchase materials as needed. However, recently she received a micro-loan from KCU that enabled her to purchase large amounts of materials at bulk costs. She was also able to buy curtain lining, hooks runners and eyelets for stock. This has increased her sales, since previously customers would buy these items at other shops.
Paid back her loan!
Already Eunice has been able to pay back her first micro-loan given in September and has applied for a second loan.
Attends workshops!
Through best business practice workshops, Eunice has learned not only how to do bookkeeping but also how to approach new customers and maintain them. She now saves every month and adds value to her work by, for example, advising customers what colours to pick for the curtains or upholstery. In addition, she offers her customers a curtain cleaning service.
Eunice’s cousin John holds up a drape to display for Canadian volunteers visiting their shop.Dreaming big!
In July 2012, Canadian volunteers, Ali and Memona, visit Eunice’s tailoring shop. John quickly brings a long dowel from another store to put up one of the curtains they’ve tailored to show the visitors. He picks out one of the newest, nicest curtains in the pile and hangs it on the dowel, holding it up as best he can.
They share with the visitors their triumphs and dreams. Through their profits, they have been able to purchase two sewing machines for their shop. Now they can both work simultaneously.
Employ OTHERS!
Their hope is to eventually make enough profits to open a second tailoring shop which will offer the possibility of employment to another person.