Sr. Sandra, site director in Sucre, Bolivia, was thrilled that 90 women could mend the missing gap in their household income.
Chalice accommodated a women’s workshop with a variety of courses to help develop skills, and women like Lourdes, Miriam, Cipriana, and Margarita had great success!
Sr. Sandra was aware of the challenges that some experienced. Many of the mothers have not had many opportunities to advance their livelihood skills, which impacted their self-esteem. Chalice donors helped lift hope, spirits, and most importantly their skill set.
With the support of Chalice donors, Sucre sponsors site staff taught the group step-by-step how to use machines to sew clothing. The students learned technical skills as well as boosting their social confidence and teamwork
Lourdes, Miriam, Cipriana, and Margarita participated in the workshop. The mothers approached the opportunity with great determination and established their own businesses. The beginning of the school year is a busy time for them, they usually receive large orders from schools for uniforms.
In many cases, they ask for help from to fulfill the volume of orders, providing a job opportunity to other women. Lourdes says, “I have to seek assistance from my colleagues; otherwise, I lose customers.”
The four entrepreneurs have made significant progress in expanding their businesses, allowing them to have savings for emergencies.
“I’m grateful,” says Miriam, “Now, I have income that helps me cover my children´s expenses and household bills.” Now that she’s reached a place of stability, Miriam has set her eyes on growing her business.
“My goal is to buy another machine,” says Miriam. “My dream now is to expand my business.” She taught her daughter how to sew and hopes she will help her make more garments to increase their income.
This program has allowed these women to increase the prosperity of their houses and strengthen their skills and abilities as women entrepreneurs, strengthening their economic empowerment, confidence, and self-esteem.
Providing the tools for a startup business makes an incredible impact on a family’s livelihood. To learn more about how you can help progress a small business set up and give sewing machines, click here.
Follow Chalice on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates from our sponsor sites, impact stories, and more!