-Starting from the slum-

According to the World Bank announcement, 1 out of 3 women in Africa live below the poverty line, meaning they are living on less than 2USD$ a day.

Poverty prevents girls and young women from going to school and receiving the education they deserve. Many of them have to leave home to make money, at the age of 13-14. However, they have no knowledge or skills, and can only do odd jobs, which increases the risk of being tricked into the sex industry.

The mothers always bring their children to work.
They lack resources and opportunities to start an education.
They often work hard and get very little in return.

-Meet Gertrude-

▲In the slums, there are many ladies and single mothers, like Gertrude, who were abandoned by their husbands. They are disadvantaged by their gender, and their educational opportunities are not valued. Their meager income can only make ends meet and they are left feeling low with no self-confidence and feel that they are incompetent. Their ideas are often denied and underestimated, and the psychological pressure cannot be shared with family and friends.

-A small place, but great impact-

During the 3 month training course, the students start from scratch without being able to measure, cutting or using a sewing machine. After the course, they are now able to sew clothes for themselves and their children. In the process, they are learning sewing skills and how to work together with others. Most of them share the same stories, and same past coming from the slum areas.

A single mother told us her story: "When I was 14 years old, I left school because my family had no money, so I went to work to help my family to earn money. I was often scolded for not having skills. Even though it wasn't my fault, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. After I came to Love Binti’s Tailoring training Center, I met other classmates like me, and I was encouraged and comforted during the class. I am very grateful for these ladies and Love Binti.”

Here they can find confidence in themselves and hope.

The women study very hard.
They soak up every little information they can get
to help themselves to acquire a skill.

-The Graduation: Becoming independent-

The graduation ceremony after the training courses is what everyone looks forward to. They had never had the opportunity to receive education in their entire life, but at the Training Center they can finally graduate for the first time in their lives. They bring their children and family to participate and all their clothes they have sewn are proudly displayed. For them, the Training Center is not just a place, but a life-changing cradle, and they will always cherish their time here.

※ "I didn't think I was capable of supporting my family, but now I know I am!"

※ "Now that I have an important livelihood skill, I can buy fabric to make my favorite clothes. Since I have learned how to make reusable sanitary pads, I no longer have to buy disposable sanitary pads, which I can also share with neighbours in need."

※ "Before I thought I was only good at taking care of my children, now I know that I can do so much more."

They don't necessarily all become tailors , but they start to believe they have the potential. When they see the results they make with their own hands, their confidence is re-established.

▲The picture shows one of Love Binti’s project partners: Makerere University, the first and biggest university in Uganda. We held the graduation ceremony of the tailor training course at the University where one of our training centers is located. The girls who participated confidently showed the clothes they sewed for their children.

-Meet Agnes-

▲The picture shows Agnes with her aunt's family; Agnes (rear left, in red) was helped by her aunt who helped her to participate in the tailoring training course.

Agnes is a fifteen-year-old girl. She is the eldest daughter, her father is unknown, and her mother is diagnosed with AIDS. She was never educated and had to be the breadwinner because of family circumstances.

Before coming to the Tailor Training Center, she worked as a cleaning lady. She could not speak English and had no skills. She was subjected to verbal humiliation and physical violence from her employer.

The three-month training course was not long, but Agnes put in a lot of hard work. She didn't know how to handle scissors or measure, and finally she could sew clothes and handbags by herself. When she successfully graduated from the Tailoring Training Center, she said goodbye to the past, and was ready to start a new life.

-The dream can continue -  

Over the past six years, Love Binti International has helped more than 140,000 women through the "Sanitary Pads Education Program", and now we also notice the impact of the Tailoring Training Center, bringing hope to the girls and women in the slums!

▲ Meet Suzan who works for Love Binti International as a Project Manager in Kampala, Uganda. She is a great inspiration for the young ladies and women that she goes lengths to help and inspire.

Watch Suzan’s video about her upbringing in the slums and she wanted to make a difference for the women around her, and how she started working for Love Binti International and her work on the ground in the Tailoring Training Centers.

Raising for the milestones! In Love Binti International it is important to celebrate every small victory ! Therefore we will celebrate whenever we hit a milestone, so we can feel we are moving somewhere and to let everyone know that they are making an impact! We thank everyone who is supporting us along the way to the end goal! Milestones: 1st at 20,000 USD, 2nd at 40,000 USD, lastly the end goal of 65,000 USD.

Breakdown of budget We always try to be well prepared in every project we do. Therefore, starting a Tailoring Training Center is not just about creating an education facility, but finding the right location by doing field research, find the right seed teachers for the center and getting the best equipment for the students to use. To the right: A break down of how we intend to use the donations.

- Creating Awareness Around The World -

One of the first things we teach the students at the Tailoring Training Centers is about menstrual health and hygiene, and reproductive health. The young ladies and women spend a lot of money sanitary pads or stay at home in case they are on their period. We therefore find it important to teach how to sew their own 'reusable sanitary pads'. This can make the women feel comfortable and confident, and they have no reason to stay home from class or work. And they are able to help their friends and family, and teach other women how to sew the pads.  

▼To create awareness about "Period Poverty" in Africa, we hold "Pad Sewing Workshops" around the world. See images below from one of the workshops in Taipei, Taiwan. 

- Made with love! -

One of the first real clothing items the women sew is a fabulous 100% handmade tote bag, made in the traditional African fabric called 'kitenge'. The bags are made by the women's love and attention to details, and each bag is unique!  💜

What is "Kitenge"? ◀︎Kitenge or chitenge (pl. vitenge) is an East African, West African and Central African fabric similar to sarong, often worn by women and wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, or as a baby sling. Kitenges are colorful pieces of fabric that contain a variety of patterns and designs.   - No perks, but more impact - We have decided not to have any physical perks, it is better for the environment without long distance shipping and we can then spend much more money and time on the actual cause! But don't feel sad, we are working on more digital perks that are nice for the eyes - stay tuned!