The atmosphere at the Bo Women Skills Training Centre was charged with joy, gratitude, and hope as the LANYI Foundation proudly hosted its first graduation ceremony for vulnerable women and girls. This significant event marked the successful completion of a 12-month intensive training program focusing on tailoring and producing eco-friendly sanitary pads, which was generously funded by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
Under the inspiring theme of “Empowerment Through Skills,” the ceremony brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including partners, community leaders, beneficiaries, and supporters, all united in commemorating a transformative journey that is already reshaping lives. The graduation ceremony was also a celebration of resilience and potential.
Edmund TeJan Kanu, a Bo District Council representative, delivered a heartfelt speech emphasising the value of LANYI’s collaboration with its partners. He emphasised the project’s broader significance, saying, “We are demonstrating that disability does not imply inability. These skills are helping citizens become productive members of society. Even a man with a PhD will need you because they need clothes, and you are the ones who make them.” His words struck a deep chord with the graduates, inspiring them to embrace their newly acquired skills with dedication and passion. Kanu reminded them that, while the sewing machines and materials provided are necessary, it is the effort and commitment to using them that will truly define their success. “This start-up kit does not turn you into a tailor. It is what you do with it that counts,” he declared, urging the graduates to take their new journey seriously and strive to make a positive difference in their homes and communities.
Graduate Regina Lahai delivered a moving speech that echoed the difficulties many participants faced before the program. “Several of us were single mothers. Some of us were beggars. Some were destitute. But today, we are transformed. “We now have meaning and purpose in our lives,” she declared, capturing the essence of their shared experience. Another graduate, Mary Sandy, shared her journey of overcoming challenges, including dropping out of school due to financial constraints. “I took the WASSCE, but my family was unable to afford university. Today, thanks to this training, I have a future. I am no longer a dropout; I am a capable and empowered young woman.”
Nurse Aminata Sesay of the Red Cross Clinic in Bo emphasised the importance of the environmentally friendly sanitary pad initiative. She discussed the immediate benefits for women who struggle to afford basic sanitary items. Some of the pads made by the graduates were donated to the clinic for new mothers, meeting a critical need in the community. “When LANYI arrived with the pads, we felt truly blessed. They are comfortable and absorbent, and they fill a critical need among our new mothers who cannot afford to buy their own,” she explained.
Sister Margaret, representing the Tzu Chi Foundation in Sierra Leone, conveyed greetings from the organisation’s global leadership and emphasised the importance of community empowerment. She shared encouraging words from Dharma Master Cheng Yen and Sister Debra, saying, “Today, your voices are valid in the community. You’ve learned to save and support yourself and others. Our leaders approved the startup kits because they believe you have the potential to change people’s lives. You will excel even more when you help others. So don’t be greedy as you grow.”
Ishmeal Alfred Charles, Programs Manager at Caritas Freetown and a dedicated Tzu Chi volunteer, delivered a powerful keynote address that recognised the graduates’ determination and the collaborative spirit that drove the initiative. “You all look stunning and promising. Continue to educate others and spread this light throughout your communities. “This is only the beginning,” he urged, thanking the Tzu Chi Foundation, the LANYI Foundation, Auntie Kadie, and all other partners in this transformative journey.
The event also included a role-play drama performed by the graduates, which demonstrated the real-life challenges they had overcome and the skills they had learned throughout the program. Mrs. Isata Charles officially presented certificates of achievement to the women, encouraging them to believe in their greatness and potential.
To cap off the celebration, each graduate received a startup package containing essential tools for their new journey: a brand-new sewing machine (with handheld versions for those with physical limitations), sewing needles and threads, cotton, fasteners, tailoring tape, and an iron. Aunty Kadie, Manager of the Growth Centre, encouraged the graduates to remain ambitious and proactive. “Sew your items and bring them into our showroom; we’ll help you market them. Physical challenges are not impediments; we can still make a difference,” she emphasised.
The first graduation of the LANYI Foundation is more than just a ceremony; it represents rebirth, resilience, and the power of radical inclusion. These women are no longer defined by their pasts, but by the skills they now have and the futures they can create. As Sierra Leone continues on its path of development and social transformation, initiatives like this illuminate the way forward, fostering hope and empowerment for the country’s most vulnerable women and girls.
