Women thread the needle of opportunity

WINDHOEK – The Kondjeni Sewing Project in Windhoek’s Soweto area was officially opened on Friday.

Inaugurating the project, Swapo Women’s Council Secretary Eunice Iipinge said it had its roots in the dismissal of Martha Joseph, who in February 1982 was fired for participating in political activities. Iipinge said the project was started with one second-hand manual sewing machine bought for R20 at the time.She said Joseph had initially run the project out of her kitchen and later her sitting room.Now it was set up outside the house.She has four employees who all benefit from the project.”It is a project that teaches us how women combine their business activities [with running their homes] and use their time appropriately,” Iipinge said.Joseph only sews during the summer months – when the rainy season starts, she has to move to her rural home to produce crops.Joseph is also an omahangu seed producer .Iipinge noted that women often run businesses from their homes.Therefore when planning houses, women should be consulted.NampaIipinge said the project was started with one second-hand manual sewing machine bought for R20 at the time.She said Joseph had initially run the project out of her kitchen and later her sitting room.Now it was set up outside the house.She has four employees who all benefit from the project.”It is a project that teaches us how women combine their business activities [with running their homes] and use their time appropriately,” Iipinge said.Joseph only sews during the summer months – when the rainy season starts, she has to move to her rural home to produce crops.Joseph is also an omahangu seed producer .Iipinge noted that women often run businesses from their homes.Therefore when planning houses, women should be consulted.Nampa