Rotary Club project donations now tax-deductible
A Woy Woy Rotary Club project called Pure Joy Uganda has been registered as an Overseas Aid Fund project eligible to accept tax deductible donations through Rotary Australia World Community Service.
"This is a great step forward for this women's empowerment group that began operating 18 months ago," said project manager Ms Joan Redmond.
"With our club's support, they are thriving," Ms Redmond said.
"On my visit to the workshop in March, the women expressed repeatedly how their involvement with Pure Joy has transformed their lives," she said.
"They truly feel empowered by the new skills they've learned.
"They see a better future for themselves, and they spoke of the positive flow-on effect their new-found confidence has had on their families.
"The women were so excited to present the new batch of merchandise they had made, which is selling well.
"The next step is to establish a formal sewing course, over a set period, where women will receive accreditation on completion.
The Pure Joy Uganda project started in August 2016 when Woy Woy Rotary Club's volunteers visited Jinja in Uganda and introduced school girls to reusable sanitary products.
"This prompted a request by a group of women for seed funding to set up a workshop so products could be made locally for girls and women who could not afford, or did not have access to the commercial alternative."
By January last year, Pure Joy was up and running, with strong support from the community.
A workshop, run by founders Ms Grace Anyeno and Ms Okello Collins, began with two sewing machines, two over-lockers and 20 enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers.
"Many of these women had left school early or didn't receive an education.
"They appreciated learning a new skill and enjoyed getting together in a supportive environment to share ideas, make new friends and support the sisterhood.
"Numbers have swelled, with over 60 women attending a Pure Joy workshop."
In June last year, the workshop delivered the first batch of sanitary kits and taught teens about reproductive health, product care and menstrual hygiene.
Another two machines were purchased to increase production to meet demand and to train more women.
The workshop also began manufacturing a range of products including Kitinge bags, purses and aprons for sale to generate income for the group.
Last November, sewers at Pure Joy received training in tailoring so they could make uniforms for Divine Mercy Primary School, which opened in February.
The purchase of two electric machines and a cutter made their task a little easier.
In February, this multi-talented group of women catered for over 2000 guests at the school opening and will cater for volunteers attending a medical outreach in Buwampa.
SOURCE:
Newsletter, 23 Apr 2018
Joan Redmond, Rotary Club of Woy Woy