By Joseph Momoh, Reporter, D.S.
Sierra Leone – July 31, 2025 – A wave of celebration and empowerment filled the Bo Women Skills Training Centre as the LANYI Foundation held its inaugural graduation ceremony for vulnerable women and girls. This milestone marked the successful completion of a 12-month intensive training program in tailoring and eco-friendly sanitary pad production, fully funded by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
Under the theme of empowerment through skills, the ceremony brought together partners, community leaders, beneficiaries, and supporters to commemorate a transformative journey. Edmund TeJan Kanu, a representative of the Bo District Council, praised the collaboration between LANYI and its partners, highlighting the project’s significance for both the women involved and Sierra Leone as a whole.
“We are proving that disability is not inability,” Kanu stated, emphasizing that the skills acquired through the program are turning citizens into productive members of society. “Even a man with a PhD will need you, because they need clothes, and you are the ones to make them,” he added. He encouraged the graduates to apply their new skills with dedication, noting that the tools provided are only as powerful as the passion and effort behind them.
Graduate Regina Lahai delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on the struggles many participants faced before entering the program. “Some of us were single mothers. Some of us were beggars. Some were destitute. But today, we stand transformed. We now have meaning and purpose in our lives,” she said.
Another graduate, Mary Sandy, shared her journey of overcoming financial hardship after dropping out of school. “I took the WASSCE, but my family couldn’t afford university. Today, thanks to this training, I have a future again. I am no longer just a dropout; I am a skilled and empowered young woman.”
Nurse Aminata Sesay from the Red Cross Clinic in Bo emphasized the importance of the eco-friendly pad initiative, noting its immediate impact on women unable to afford basic sanitary items. “When LANYI came with the pads, we were truly blessed. They are comfortable and absorbent, meeting a desperate need among new mothers.”
Sister Margaret, the Tzu Chi Foundation’s representative in Sierra Leone, conveyed greetings from their global leadership and underscored the value of community empowerment. “Today, your voices are valid in the community. You have learned to save and support yourselves and others. Our leaders approved the startup kits because we believe in your ability to change lives,” she said.
In a powerful keynote address, Ishmeal Alfred Charles, Programs Manager at Caritas Freetown and Tzu Chi volunteer, praised the graduates’ determination and the collective efforts behind the initiative. “You all look so beautiful and promising. Continue to educate others and spread this light in your communities. This is just the beginning,” he encouraged.
The ceremony featured a role-play drama by the graduates, showcasing the real-life challenges they overcame and the skills they acquired. Certificates were officially handed over by Mrs. Isata Charles, who inspired the women to believe in their greatness.
To cap off the celebration, each graduate received a startup package that included:
- A brand-new sewing machine (handheld versions for the physically challenged)
- Sewing needles and threads
- Cotton, fasteners, tailoring tape, and an iron
Aunty Kadie, Manager at the Growth Center, urged the graduates to remain ambitious: “Sew your items and bring them to our showroom; we’ll help you market them. Physical challenges are not barriers; we can still make a difference.”
This inaugural graduation of the LANYI Foundation symbolizes rebirth, resilience, and the power of radical inclusion. These women are now defined not by their pasts but by the skills they have acquired and the futures they are empowered to create. As Sierra Leone continues its journey of development and social transformation, programs like this illuminate the path forward.
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