I came to Nakivale with nothing but my hands and a few dreams stitched into memory. Life was hard at first—no money, no work, just waiting.
Then one day, I borrowed a sewing machine at the women’s center. I started by fixing torn clothes for neighbors. Slowly, I learned to make skirts, dresses, school uniforms. People began calling me Mama Hadija the tailor.
Now, my small corner under the tree is always busy. I earn just enough to buy soap, pay school fees for my daughter, and sometimes even save a little.
My business isn’t just about money—it’s about confidence.
Every stitch says, “I can create. I can provide. I can lead.”
In Nakivale, we may not have much, but we have ideas, skills, and the will to turn a little into a lot. And for me, that sewing machine?
It’s not just my job. It’s my freedom.
