A group of women from Oku, Cameroon, known as Oku Women in Development (OWID), has made a donation of sewing machines to internally displaced girls and women from the Oku Subdivision residing in Mfoundi Division of the Centre Region. The handover ceremony took place on September 26, 2026, and was attended by members of the elite and charitable associations. This initiative aims to empower the beneficiaries economically and improve their productivity.
The project, titled "Developing the Professional Skills of IDP Young Women and Girls from Oku Subdivision Found in Mfoundi Division, Yaounde," seeks to equip the beneficiaries with the necessary skills to generate income and create opportunities for others in their families and communities. The sewing machines handed over are tools for economic empowerment, enabling the beneficiaries to put their newly acquired skills into practice.
According to OWID President, Mrs. Kendemeh Vivian Jioy, the journey began on May 10, 2025, with a fundraising event for the initiative. The project took shape through the commitment and determination of all those who believed in the potential of the young women and girls forced out of their homes. The OWID president emphasized that the occasion was not just about handing over machines but about hope, empowerment, dignity, self-reliance, and a better future for women and girls affected by the security crisis.
The trainees in various specialties, including Hotel Management and Catering Service, Hair Dressing, Aesthetics, and Decoration, have received materials, including start-up capital, progressively as they were being trained. The OWID president noted that the trainees are almost at the completion of their training, demonstrating that perseverance, opportunity, and proper guidance can produce meaningful results.
The donation of sewing machines and other equipment is part of OWID's efforts to empower women and girls in the Oku community. The association aims to provide opportunities for economic empowerment and improve the livelihoods of internally displaced persons. The project has made significant progress, and the beneficiaries are expected to become self-reliant and contribute to their families and communities.
The handover ceremony was attended by a cross-section of the elite and members of the charitable association, indicating the importance of the initiative. The OWID president expressed her happiness at seeing the progress made, emphasizing that the project is a testament to the potential of women and girls when given the opportunity.
The Oku Women in Development association has demonstrated its commitment to empowering women and girls in the community. The donation of sewing machines and other equipment is a step towards achieving economic empowerment and improving the livelihoods of internally displaced persons. The project's success will be measured by the impact it has on the beneficiaries and their communities.
Key points
- Oku women donate sewing machines to internally displaced girls and women in Yaounde to empower them economically.
