by Michele Torrey, OA Volunteer Secretary and Co-Founder
Last year we appealed to our donors to help us build a dormitory for women at our Isandula Vocational-Technical College campus. You responded, as we knew you would, with expedience and generosity. In a mere few months, the dorm was funded, constructed, and opened in time for the new school year beginning inJanuary.
We expected girls to enroll, and we weren’t disappointed. Currently there are fifteen girls, which is a HUGE improvement from last year, when there was only one. Not only do the girls and women now have a safe place to reside on campus, but they are taking advantage of a new tailoring program offered by the college.
The program offers a six-month certificate for those who need fast employment, or a two-year entrepreneur and tailoring program for those who are wanting to go into business for themselves. And in Tanzania, tailoring is big business. Much of the clothing they wear is hand-tailored, plus every child in every school everywhere needs uniforms tailored according to their school requirements. Our graduates will have an occupation that will support their future families for a lifetime.
Little by little, the college is growing both in infrastructure and in enrollment. We are excited about the future and what it spells for our graduates.
And, of course, we thank our donors, once again, for rising to the challenge of building a much-needed facility on a very tight schedule. Now our students are busy learning, living, thriving, and moving forward in their lives.
