The Kairos Initiative Shoe and Bag Making Project successfully concluded after nine months of intensive vocational training designed to equip vulnerable beneficiaries with practical skills for self-reliance and economic empowerment. The training was implemented in three phases, each lasting three months. During the first phase, beneficiaries were trained in the production of simple footwear. The second phase focused on bag making, where participants learned to produce bags of various sizes and designs. In the final phase, beneficiaries advanced their skills in the production of cover shoes, corporate shoes, and other varieties of handmade footwear.
The project culminated in a close-out ceremony attended by partners, invited guests, and stakeholders. Four beneficiaries successfully completed the training and graduated from the programme. To support their transition into entrepreneurship, each graduate received start-up materials, including a filing machine and two pairs of shoe molds (one large and one small). In recognition of their exceptional performance and commitment throughout the training, the two most outstanding beneficiaries were additionally awarded sewing machines.
As part of the graduation ceremony, certificates of completion were presented to all four beneficiaries by Kairos Initiative’s partner organizations, including YAHIC, Radiant Care Foundation, and Alwadata Lifeline. Beneficiaries shared inspiring testimonies about how the project had positively transformed their lives by providing them with valuable skills and renewed opportunities for income generation.
The Training Coordinator, Mr. Charles, delivered a goodwill message, commending the dedication, resilience, and progress demonstrated by all beneficiaries throughout the programme. The event concluded with a practical exhibition where graduates showcased some of the shoes and bags they had produced during the training, demonstrating the skills and craftsmanship acquired through the project.
Overall, the project achieved its objective of empowering beneficiaries with sustainable vocational skills and providing them with the tools necessary to begin their journey toward economic independence.
