Meet Priscilla, Wunders' Lead Seamstress in Kenya
Priscilla is the Lead Seamstress at the Wunders sewing center in Nairobi, Kenya.
Priscilla learned to sew about 30 years ago. She sewed in many places before hearing of an opportunity to train to sew at Wunders Kenya.
Life before joining Wunders was at times rough for Priscilla. She was sewing in a center when COVID-19 hit and disrupted the economy. Originally from the Western side of Kenya, Priscilla saw that women and girls in her community dealt with numerous barriers during their menstrual cycles. Most girls would not go to school because of their periods, missing 4-5 days each month. Women had a hard time going to work and completing daily tasks during their menstrual cycle because they could not afford to buy pads. “I see Wunders stepping in and helping girls go to school regardless of their periods, and see women with smiles on their faces again," Priscilla shared.
We asked Priscilla what she enjoyed most about her work with Wunders:
“I like sewing everything! I’m an all-around tailor, and at Wunders, I’m the Lead Sewer. I do many kinds of things but I love cutting. Cutting is the most important part of a sewing project. If you cut in the wrong way, then the products may not come out nicely. I make sure the sewers are doing a good job and ensure that everything is in a good place before they leave work. Our products go beyond just Kenya!”
She shared that before Wunders, many women and girls did not know where to find affordable pads on a monthly basis. “When people come to the workshop they are really happy to hear about the pads. They leave and spread the word to their community that there are products here to help their girls and families. Wunders Kenya has transformed a not-good situation and people are so grateful!”
Wunders currently employs one lead seamstress, three general seamstresses, and a program manager in Nairobi, Kenya. Building sustainable livelihood opportunities with our on-the-ground team in Kenya is a core objective for Wunders. Our kit and curriculum are designed with local leaders to be culturally appropriate and utilize local fabrics. We are so grateful for the Wunders Kenya team and the local steering committee that make all of this work possible. Thanks to Priscilla and the rest of the Wunders Kenya team, Wunders is thriving and growing!
Learn more about Wunders’ focus on sustainable livelihoods here.