Twelve women have graduated from a tailoring and reusable sanitary pad production training programme organized by Lanyi Foundation and funded by Tzu Chi Foundation, with start-up kits provided to help them establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
The graduation and handover ceremony was held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Bo Women’s Training Centre, Coronation Field, Bo District, marking the completion of a year-long training programme designed to equip women with practical skills for economic independence.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sabina Thompson, Tzu Chi Foundation Representative and keynote speaker, congratulated the graduates for their commitment throughout the training and said the initiative reflected the importance of turning compassion into practical support for vulnerable people.
Quoting the Foundation’s founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, she said: “No act of love, however small, is ever wasted.”
Sabina Thompson said the project was intended to help women develop sustainable livelihoods, support their families and create opportunities for others in their communities. She encouraged the graduates not to allow limited resources to prevent them from pursuing their ambitions.
“Your certificate is not your destination. It is a stepping stone to greatness,” she told the graduates, adding that the project’s success would ultimately be measured by the businesses they establish, the income they generate and the positive changes they bring to their families and communities.
Georgetta Nicholas, Project Manager at Lanyi Foundation, said all 12 beneficiaries were women who had received training in tailoring, including fabric cutting and reusable sanitary pad production.
She explained that the training was designed to equip the women with practical skills to establish small businesses and become economically independent.
The Project Manager said the project had also supported the production and distribution of reusable sanitary pads, alongside menstrual health education, in communities beyond Bo District, including Kenema and Kambia. The pads were distributed to schools, hospitals, particularly maternity wards, community members and care centres.
She said the initiative sought to improve menstrual health awareness while creating income-generating opportunities for women.
The provision of start-up kits, she added, was an important step towards helping the graduates put their newly acquired skills into practice. Under the arrangement, each beneficiary would contribute 10 per cent of the value of the items provided.
Georgetta Nicholas thanked Tzu Chi Foundation for supporting the initiative and urged the graduates to use their skills to improve their lives, support their families and contribute to their communities.
Eliza Sillah, Program Manager at Caritas Freetown, who delivered a statement on behalf of the organization’s Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, said the graduation demonstrated what women could achieve when given the necessary skills, support and opportunities.
She described vocational training as more than learning a trade, noting that it could build confidence and help beneficiaries take practical steps towards greater independence.
Eliza Sillah commended the partnership between Caritas Freetown, Lanyi Foundation and Tzu Chi, expressing hope that the collaboration would continue to create opportunities for more women and girls.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ernest D. M. Lavalie, Regional Deputy Director of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for the Southern Region, said the strong participation of women in the programme supported efforts to promote gender empowerment and youth capacity building.
He said vocational training could help beneficiaries secure employment, establish businesses and train others, thereby creating additional employment opportunities.
Dr. Ernest D. M. Lavalie urged the graduates to maintain high standards in their businesses, stressing the importance of honesty, respect for customers, quality products and timely service.
“Customers are not scarce; however, it is your character or your attitude that has limited you from growing,” he said, encouraging the women to build good relationships with their customers.
Kadiatu Fillie, Manager of the Growth Centre in Bo, also encouraged the graduates to remain diligent and committed to their craft. Drawing from her own experience of combining formal education with vocational training, she said acquiring practical skills had helped her establish a shop and support herself financially.
Addressing graduates with disabilities, Kadiatu Fillie said: “Your ability is stronger than your disability.”
For one of the graduates, Sudie Kombay, the training represents an opportunity to move towards greater independence after previously relying on begging to meet her needs.
Sudie Kombay said she was excited when she learnt about the training because she wanted to become relevant in society.
“This training has added value to me,” she said, pledging to apply the skills she had acquired in her community. She thanked Tzu Chi and Lanyi Foundation for providing the opportunity, expressing confidence that the graduates would become productive through their new skills.
