UB Church

2004 WMF Project

This year the WMF Challenge or special project is partnering with the women of the Sierra Leone WMF to establish four regional training centers for women. These centers will focus on teaching skills which enable women to have their own "cottage industry."

Many women lost their husbands during the long-term war. This left them without a source of income for their household. Mrs. Agatha Daramie, the Sierra Leone WMF President, shared that if these regional training centers could be established, the women could be taught sewing, needlework, cooking skills, and secretarial skills. Such skills would enable them to find employment and provide a means for sustaining their families.

Mrs. Daramie's desire is that as the women become more financially independent, they will then pay back some of the funds used to train them. This will make it possible to train others.

The North American WMF has committed to partner with them in raising $10,000 toward this project. That money will be invested in equipment such as treadle sewing machines, typewriters, fabric, office supplies, etc., to operate the training centers.

If your WMF would like to participate, we will be collecting funds throughout 2004. Money can be turned in with each quarter's report to the Regional Treasurer, who will then send the funds to Huntington.