It’s Friday 28th August 2026, the air is filled with great joy and excitement. Glory, Mary and Memory who failed academically in education came through the selection process 6 months ago to get the opportunity to learn valuable skills at our Tailoring School. Today they graduate with beaming smiling faces filled with hope, pride and new found optimism.

Glory, 20 years old from Lupaso is the fourth child; she has 3 brothers and 2 sisters aged 9 and 14. Her father works as a carpenter with little work when he gets it, her mother stays home caring for the family. Her dream is to be able to make a living and provide for her family. Today is that day she steps nearer to achieving her dream.

Memory is 22 years old from Soada, a rural village. She is the first born with 2 brothers and 1 sister. Neither of her parents have work and rely on the kindness of strangers. Having failed her final secondary school exams she saw no alternative but to get married, which she did 4 years ago. He promised to help her achieve her dreams to be independent and attend a local church tailoring school, but unfortunately married life was not as promised. She returned home to her parent’s house with a little 3 year old daughter and another mouth to feed. Life was hard, but things were to change for the better. Her mother cared for her little daughter and she joined us here at WfZ staying with Glory in our student letting house while she got her chance to flourish. She excelled while learning new tailoring skills, saved hard and with our business plan made money to set herself up as a tailor in her village by renting a machine to support her child and family.

Mary, 22 years old from Chingombo, has both parents. Her mother sells tomatoes at the side of the road to make a living, unfortunately her father has no work as it can be so hard to find any. She has 3 sisters, 1 married, 1 special needs in form 3 at St John of God’s, 1 in standard 5. Her dream is to be able to rent a sewing machine and sell and repair clothes in her local area. Mary worked very hard, learnt so many skills that she will be able to use in the future. It was a great pity that on the day of the graduation she was ill with malaria and unable to enjoy her special last day, but she’ll be invited back to celebrate when the next 3 trainees graduate.

The beat of the African music, laughter and joy can be heard, bunting can be seen, food treats of orange drink and buns at the ready. The Wfz management team are gathered with the founder Mary Coyne and the co-ordinator Eilís Butler who runs the Tailoring course via WhatsApp from Ireland, both join on-line. Mercy and Agness, the teachers who did a great job with patience and skill, brought these 3 trainees from knowing nothing to being skilled seamstresses. We were joined by our guest of honour Tama Disi, a tailor, designer and educator who runs a 2 year Tevet course in St John of God’s and her colleague Lusungu, their social worker.

The 6 modules of the course involve learning to make reusable sanitary pads, reusable nappies, uniforms, dresses, making bags, skirts and blouses, making toys, record keeping and starting a business. This year we introduced learning to crochet and knit with Mercy teaching this. Our Tailoring school has had a very wide ranging impact on all the other arms of WfZ, the toys are made to support the resources of our 51 preschools, 250 forestry bags are made to support our nurseries, 32 educational bags are made to give to women in rural areas to carry their books while learning to read and write. All our girls that are supported in education by WfZ are given reusable sanitary pads to keep their dignity in class. Reusable pads were given out for free also to health clinics and forestry workers. The reach of the Tailoring school and its impact cannot be underestimated all the while, the 3 trainees learn valuable life skills to improve their own lives and the lives of their families.

The moment of truth has arrived: Memory and Glory in dresses they designed and made themselves step forward with pride and confidence to receive their Tailoring School Graduation Certificates and give their speeches.

Memory shared a poem she wrote

Measure Twice, Leave Once

They told us to measure twice and cut once,
So we measured our dreams and cut out our fears,
They told us to backstitch for strength,
So we back stitched our future with hard work.

We wasted fabric, we broke needles. We started over,
But we never quit.
Today we are not just graduates,
We are designers of our destiny.
Tailors of our tomorrow.
Proof that with God, and Wells for Zoë anything is possible.

Watch us now,
We are about to stitch the world with excellence.
Congratulations to us.
Thank you!!!