Safaricom Foundation Empowers Kayole Women With Tailoring Equipment

Sylvia Mulinge, Safaricom’s Chief Customer Officer, being shown how to use the sewing machine by Lynet Muhanda Teacher and Deputy Chair of Kodera Women during the Ndoto Zetu 1st handover of sewing machines in Kayole.

Kodero Women’s group from Kayole are the first beneficiaries of Safaricom Foundation’s Ndoto Zetu (phase 2) initiative. The group received tailoring equipment to kick start their dream of opening a tailoring school for its members.

Ndoto Zetu which is part of the Foundation’s philanthropic partnerships across the country aims to support individual Kenyans who are keen to make an impact in their communities through social investments.

“We are excited to be doing this at a time when we have just marked International Women’s Day. There’s no better way to celebrate the 50 strong women of Kodera than to economically empower them with tools including sewing machines and other materials that will help them achieve their dreams.” Said Sylvia Mulinge, Trustee, Safaricom Foundation

The tailoring equipment will fulfill the group’s dream of starting a tailoring school that will solve issues of unemployment and lack of opportunities for underprivileged women. Kodera women was founded in 2011 and largely consists of women from the Soweto slum who are either widows or single mothers. Apart from empowerment, the group also supports women who have various health complications.

“The equipment provided by Safaricom Foundation is a blessing to us and we hope to recruit even more women to the group. A tailoring school will help us learn new skills and open new businesses to ensure no one sleeps hungry or lacks basic needs.” Said Joyce Bilha, Chairperson Kodera Women’s Group

Through its economic empowerment pillar, Safaricom Foundation has so far empowered close to one million people people by providing them with business skills and funding that have led to sustainable income generating projects.

At least 52,473 people were impacted during the first phase of Ndoto Zetu initiative that saw over 300 projects across 40 counties implemented.

Since inception in 2003, Safaricom Foundation has transformed the lives of over 4.5 million Kenyans with more than 2,000 community projects implemented.