In 2009, Grace Ochieng’, a native of Lwala and sister to founders Milton and Fred, began a microenterprise project with women tailors in the Lwala community. This sewing cooperative, called the New Vision Women’s Sewing Cooperative, now employs 8 local women. In partnership with Got Your Back, the sewing co-op produces school uniforms and reusable cloth menstrual pads in order to curb school absenteeism in girls and improve the health status of women in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. In addition, they make a line of cloth bags in partnership with Thistle Farms, a social enterprise which sells women’s bath and body products in the U.S.
Watch a Video About Current Projects of the Women’s Sewing Co-op
