Every morning in rural Malawi, a young woman named Rhoda Ngwenya begins a journey that most of us would find difficult to imagine.
She walks nearly 11 miles (18 kilometers) round-trip every single day to attend classes at the Pamoza Skills Training Center.
Why?
Because Rhoda is determined to build a better future.
Despite the long and exhausting walk, she faithfully attends Pamoza’s tailoring program, eager to learn skills that can help her become financially independent. Over the past year, her hard work and perseverance have paid off. She has learned how to take measurements, cut fabric, and sew clothing from start to finish.
Rhoda Cutting Fabric
Rhoda Measuring Fabric
Rhoda Sewing Fabric
Recently, Rhoda proudly completed a skirt entirely on her own. The photos capture her journey through each step of the process—measuring, cutting, sewing, and finally holding the finished garment in her hands. What may look like a simple skirt represents something much greater: confidence, opportunity, and hope.
Rhoda is deeply grateful for the training she has received through Pamoza.
“This training will help me support myself in the future,” she says.
When Rhoda graduates, our goal is to help her launch her own tailoring business. However, a significant challenge stands in the way.
When Pamoza started the tailoring program in 2019, a reliable sewing machine cost approximately $70. Today, that same machine costs around $350—a staggering 500% increase. For students like Rhoda, owning a sewing machine is the key to turning newly acquired skills into a sustainable source of income, but the cost has become increasingly out of reach.
Yet Rhoda’s determination reminds us why this work matters. If she is willing to walk 11 miles every day to learn, imagine what she could accomplish with the tools she needs to succeed.
Support Pamoza
Students like Rhoda are working tirelessly to transform their futures. Your support can help provide training, equipment, and business-startup opportunities that empower young people in Malawi to break the cycle of poverty.
Together, we can help Rhoda and other graduates move from learning a skill to building a livelihood.
