Staff Stories: Victorina
Victorina at work at Neema’s shop
Victorina joined Neema with the hope of using her skills to empower vulnerable young women. She is the shop manager and a tailoring instructor, and loves teaching students how to sew and training them in their tailoring and dressmaking skills. She also teaches them business management and how to generate an income.
But she knows that equipping these young women for life after they graduate often requires more than just passing on skills. She prioritizes helping them find confidence in their abilities and giving them hope for a brighter future. The students even call her Mama — and she loves it!
Victorina rides with the students to Neema’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2023.
Victorina (center) with Brenda (left) and Beverlyne (right), recent graduates, during their third year in the program.
“My mother worked really hard to take us to school. She was a farmer and used to grow cotton which she sold so that she [could] cater for our needs.”
When Victorina was seven, her father passed away. Her mother was left to work very hard as a farmer to provide for Victorina and her siblings. Victorina was able to go to school until 11th grade, and even went to a technical college later in life where she learned tailoring and dressmaking. This education enabled her to become a teacher.
She has become passionate about her work over the years, and has been able to create a relationship with her students while passing on a love for the craft. Victorina gives thanks to her mother, who encouraged and advised her to work hard. With hard work, she was able to brighten her future—she has a job, a good income, six children, and three grandchildren. With her income, she supports herself, her husband, her son, and one grandchild.
Victorina teaches Brenda, a recent graduate, during her third year in the program.
“If it was not for God I would not be here. He always answers prayers.”
Victorina has a big heart for helping young women, and her relationship with God plays a big part in that.
She works hard to teach her students skills that will benefit them throughout their whole lives. Not only is she teaching them sewing and tailoring, but she also encourages them when they doubt their skills and equips them with courage to find employment after graduating.
Victorina also has big dreams for Neema including becoming an examination center and expanding into different branches in different counties.