Tchukudu Women's Training Centre

Cathy Cleary and Heather Haynes are ambitious ambassadors for vulnerable people. Cathy began her journey in 2008, in Tanzania working on a medical caravan, which she continued for 12 years.  While Cathy was in Tanzania, Heather was also there doing her own work with the local people. In 2013, Cathy reached out to Heather, and as the two got to know each other, Heather invited Cathy to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo with her to see the Tchukudu Kids Home that Heather had raised funds to build. On this visit in 2014, in the city of Goma, DRC, Cathy and Heather spoke with ten local women. After hearing these women's stories, Cathy knew she wanted and needed to do more.

This is how the Tchukudu Women's Training Centre was created.

The Tchukudu Women’s Training Centre opened in May 2014 with 16 generous women sponsoring 16 Congolese women to learn the trade of seamstress. Since that time, the Training Centre has graduated 57 women into the Tailoring/Seamstress business, 10 women into Basket Weaving and 32 women in Tie Dyeing. Fifteen women learned about micro-finance and taught the concepts to each of their own business cooperatives. There are currently 8 women studying sewing and many more waiting to join the training centre. The Centre will soon begin a Reusable Sanitary Pad project meant to provide needed sanitary products for girls and women. It will also provide income generation for the seamstresses. These entrepreneurial women are building businesses and lives that will feed their families and educate their children. Sponsoring one woman through her two year training makes ALL the difference to her life. Click here to learn how you can get involved.