Fashioning Her Future

Henry Montesano

6 years ago

This is Beatrice Joseph. She comes from Musoma, Tanzania, where she’s the third of six children. After finishing primary school in 2014, she traveled to Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city, where her father passed away two years later, making her an orphan. Beatrice isn’t the only orphan in Tanzania. In fact, the country’s home to 1.3 million orphans, primarily due to the AIDS crisis. Suddenly forced to grow up and assume adult responsibilities, many of these children don’t have time or money to further their education, limiting their potential.

In July of 2016, Beatrice enrolled at the Dogodogo Training Centre, where she learned the elements of tailoring: Sewing trousers, skirts, shorts and gowns. In its 27 years of operation, the Centre has facilitated the empowerment of thousands of young women, providing quality educations and vocational training, as well as advocating on behalf of girls whose voices are too often stifled, in Dar es Salaam and in the country. Through education and legal representation, rural women have broader horizons and more options than being a traditional housewife.

Now, Beatrice’s dream is to become a renowned designer, drawing clients from miles around. More than anything, she dreams of being self-sufficient. You can commemorate International Women’s Day 2019, by donating to our Women’s Empowerment Campaign and making Beatrice’s dream a reality. Your contribution will empower her – and young women like her – to design their own destinies. To learn more about our Women’s Empowerment Campaign, click here.