Nyamapanda is a small growth town right on the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It’s a favourite stop for the long distance lorry drivers as they travel through to Harare and beyond. Single women with little money or hope earn a living through sex work here but things are changing….
The mayor of the town had once received training from Christian Aid partner Silveira House, so when he saw those living in the town with no trade and low self esteem he asked Silveira House to help.
Today Nyamapanda has been transformed. Mother of four, Kesia Tafura, is part of a fourteen strong Sewing Group that have their own Chairperson and secretary. After three weeks initial training from Silveira House on the basics of needlework they were given fabric, thread and hand sewing machines to start producing items to sell. Kesia is proud of the school uniforms and trousers they have made and explains how they still have difficulty with zips in men’s trousers!
“Silveira House have promised more training in this,” she laughed.
Through Silveira House the women have also received training on HIV prevention. When asked how the course had changed her life one of the ladies laughed excitedly,
“I told my husband to practice safe sex and get tested. This has made my life better now.”
Kesia is confident that the training and support the group has received from Silveira House has turned all their lives around. A few of the women are no longer engaged in sex work and live on the income they get from the sewing group’s business.
Millennium Development Goals Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women Progress has been made towards the MDGs, yet reaching all the goals by the 2015 deadline remains challenging. In the MDG Report 2011 <http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/(2011_E)%20MDG%20Report%202011_Book%20LR.pdf>, the UN's annual progress report, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, "The MDGs have helped lift millions of people out of poverty. At the same time, we still have a long way to go in empowering women and girls, promoting sustainable development, and protecting the most vulnerable."
Send your postcard to your local MP use the story above as an example of what can be achieved and your concern that many of the MDGs are not on target. To find your local MP’s details go to www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4018047 <http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4018047>
