How Perpetua's weaving training hustle is helping women to make money
Perpetua Omare teaches women how to weave using sisal, yarn and/or recycled materials to make beautiful, marketable baskets which they sell and earn an income.
She works with local women’s groups, most recently being the Mustard Seed group.
Pep says her inspiration came from a high school friend who runs a weaving brand called Okapu.
“A High School friend of mine ana brand ya ku-weave baskets inaitwa 'Okapu'. I have seen how alianza na venye ame-grow within a very short time. It was during a season ya kusota ndio niliangukia gig ya VSO Jitolee.
Wana-sponsor women's group flani ya waste-pickers huko D, inaongozwa na chali anaitwa Rooney. Hao ndio walinipee job ya kwanza ya kufunza wamatha weaving. Through this skill, hao women groups wanaweza kutumia recycled materials kama tape ya old Cassettes na ku-weave baskets. My motivation ni ku-empower wanawake economically.”
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She says starting out required no capital. “The beauty of offering a service is you can start with zero shillings,” Omare says with a smile. “VSO Jitolee covered the cost of materials through their ‘Waste-to-Work’ programme. I just needed to refine my weaving skills, which I first learnt in high school, by attending workshops regularly.”
Her first customers came through a WhatsApp group. “A friend of mine alituma whatsapp msg kwa grp ingine ya Creatives, akiuliza nani anaweza weave vikapu. Na juu nilikuwa nimefunzwa hiyo skill HighSchool, nilisema hiyo job naweza. Nikaenda workshop moja ya ku-refresh skills zangu and after 2 wks hivi, VSO Jitolee wakanipigia.,” she recalls.
To keep clients coming back, Omare focuses on relevance and professionalism. “I make my training fit current trends like recycling and the green economy. I teach skills women can quickly turn into income. And I stay professional, punctual, well-dressed, and clear in communication. Those small things send a big message to clients.”
For her, the work is deeply rewarding. “Being an artist means living your calling,” she says. “It’s satisfying to pass on skills to women and see them become economically independent.”
However, she admits the hustle has challenges. “Some NGOs have limited funding, so they only hire you for a few sessions. The work is seasonal, sometimes you can go for long without a gig. And if you choose to host your own training, you need capital, which isn’t always easily available.”
Pep says joining MESH opened her eyes to the power of self-employment.
"MESH has shown me that it's possible kuwa self-employed na u-make it. Coming from a background yenye wazazi wanasisitiza upate job ya ofisi(employment), MESH inani-encourage eti self-employment is the way to go. Hii nikupitia everyday stories za ordinary youths, hao ndio my biggest inspiration."
Her advice to young people wanting to start a hustle like hers or any other skill or talent business? “I would encourage them if they are providing any service or skill, waweze ku-sharpen talents zao kwa ku-train mara kwa mara.
Pia ndio waweze kujua the current techniques, designs, machinery na hata technologies zenye zinafanya kazi iwe more efficient..” Link up with Pep on MESH