Jenipher’s story

Meet Jenipher.

Jenipher is a member of Bwera United Women with Disabilities Association (BUDWA). She joined BUDWA and learned tailoring skills, which have helped her start earning some income. Now, Jenipher needs support to buy her own sewing machine, which would allow her to work independently and earn a more sustainable income.

“I got to hear that there’s an organisation for women with disabilities. People told me – ‘If you go there, you’ll find the members are friendly, they will listen to your problems and listen to you’.

“I came to BUDWA and met Juliet. I explained to her my challenges and Juliet asked me which of the activities would suit me and which I felt had a market.

“I said I was interested in tailoring. So I learnt tailoring. I’m now doing some work at home. I hired a machine and I’m using it. I’m managing to earn some funds.”

“Before, people looked at me as someone who can’t work. But when I came to BUDWA and learnt some skills they’re now seeing my potential.”

Jenipher

Jenipher’s Tailoring Journey.

“When I hired the machine I began earning a daily income and am able to put something into the savings group. I’m able to buy food to eat and not be dependent.”

“It’s great that I have learnt to sew and am using the hired machine, but it’s not sustainable. If I had my own machine, the money I’m currently spending on rent I could use for maintaining the machine.”

Jenipher

“I’m making clothes like dresses. I make them according to local fashions and traditional design and the style customers ask for. Being near the border most of our people wear kitenge fabric, which comes from Congo.

“If given the chance of my own machine, my plan would be to buy some cloth from Congo. I will find a space. When someone comes to buy the kintenge cloth I’ll be the one to sew it into a dress for them. That way I can earn double – both from selling the kitenge fabric and tailoring it. I would also purchase some small items like soap, salt, paraffin and matches to sell, so that I increase my income.”

Second chance education.

“I have family – a mother and father. When I was growing up they noticed I wasn’t growing like other people. As time passed they stopped counting me as one of the family. I didn’t go to school. My parents lacked information. I could have gone to school – I was able – but they didn’t let me go.

“They saw me as a wasted resource. If they had had information, I could have been taken to class, but I missed out.”

“Before finding BUDWA I was feeling lifeless. But when I met the BUDWA team, I saw they had trained other people that had greater challenges than me. I’m capable. I have learnt a lot. I will keep passing the same information to other parents and other children. Encouraging them to come out and speak for themselves. They should not be kept at home.”

“When I met with BUDWA and when they assured me of support in giving me some skills, I was very happy. And I was very pleased to meet other persons with disabilities.”

Jenipher

“I’m part of the BUDWA savings and credit group. Through my savings I have been able to meet the members and when I come to them with a problem, I request for a loan to support myself. Everyone gets along really well in the group and we support each other.

“The way BUDWA has empowered me… It means that whenever I come across another person with a disability, I bring them on board and so they can get training too so that we are all capable to support ourselves. I also want to share what I have learnt with other people in my situation. If I earn enough money, I would like to find a home of my own.”