GOVERNMENT has changed the lives of 10 women from Mkasanga village in Lumezi District, Eastern Province after they applied for a Constitutuency Development Fund (CDF) grant with the idea of becoming tailors in their area.
According to the women of Kabele Women’s Club, there was a shortage of tailors in their village and partnered to apply for a K40 million CDF grant which they were generously given.
The club’s treasurer Chisenga Phiri explained that Mkasanga village and other neighbouring villages have a serious shortage of tailors which usually forces people to travel to another district to access tailoring services.
“The community in Mkasanga, including neighboring Chasera in Chibande ward lacked local tailoring options until the women’s club was empowered by government through CDF to kick start their business venture. We understood this would change our lives and of course the lives of those who are benefiting from our services. We are happy to report that we are doing fine so far and our lives shall never be the same again,” she said.
She revealed that the club has also procured four manual sewing machines and cotton and will spend part of the remaining funds on fabrics to officially kick-start their tailoring venture.
Phiri added that the group intends to not only mend torn clothes but also sow school uniforms to supply their village and the neighbourhood.
She further thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for his visionary leadership, describing CDF as life changing.
“We thank the government for this empowerment. We are changing our lives through tailoring. In one year, you will see the impact,” she said.
Mkasanga village and neighbouring villages are about to say goodbye to walking with torn trousers and big tattered jackets, especially the gents, now that sewing machines have hit the area.
By Haggai Hamunyemba
Kalemba March 22, 2025
