HARBEL, Margibi – Alfalit International Liberia, an organization providing literacy programs to women in Liberia, has begun graduating several women from its basic tailoring program.

91 women in Margibi and Montserrado counties are moving to an advanced level of tailoring after participating in a 9-month training program.

According to the organization’s Programs and Communication Officer Evelyn Seagbeh, the skills training program is an extension of Alfalit’s educational and capacity building initiative for women who have completed the primary levels of the adult literacy and basic education classes.

“The program was set up with a goal of empowering women with basic and advanced knowledge in tailoring to become self-reliant through income generating activities upon completion of their literacy and basic education classes,” Seagbeh said.

She said the women are part of 175 beneficiaries that are enrolled in the basic program. Only 91 of that number will be moving to an advanced level of training after completing the introductory training.

The other 84 participants of the basic training would only be promoted to the second phase of the training after successfully completing the basic training.

She said, “The graduation is taking place at two venues on separate dates.” The first event took place on Friday, December 11 at the Beautiful Beginning School campus in Harbel, Margibi County.

Delivering a keynote address, the President of the Harbel Christian Women Association, Helena Charlie, challenged the women to continue their advancement.

She said if the women were self-reliant, they would meaningfully contribute to their families and to the development of their communities.

“You can become more productive and contribute to your family and community if you have a skill to generate income,” she said.

Bailot Jalloh, the head of the Harbel Tailor Union, has welcomed the contribution of Alfalit. He said training more tailors, especially women, would boost the tailoring industry.

Jalloh called on participants of the program to remain focused. “I am encouraging the women to be focused and learn the job well,” he said.

He said tailoring was a unique profession that makes one self-employed and economically independent. With tailoring, he said the women can contribute to the development of their country.

At the same time, Alfalit Executive Director Emmanuel Giddings said the empowerment of women will lead to a rapid economic growth in Liberia.

He added that the organization will add more components to the skills training and expand the program to other counties.

The advanced level of training begins today, Friday, December 18 and the opening program is expected to have Senator Jewel Howard Taylor as Keynote Speaker. The program will be held at Alfalit’s Liberia headquarters.

Featured photo by Evelyn Seagbeh/Alfalit Liberia