The long-term impact of Mend is sustainable financial independence for those it supported. Throughout their involvement in the program, Mend seamstresses received advanced training from a master tailor in Gulu. They were trained to produce high quality bags using a variety of materials, which are currently sold internationally. The proceeds of these sales benefit Invisible Children and provided Mend seamstresses with a steady source of income for the duration of the program. By providing these seamstresses with a more marketable and economically beneficial outlet for their skills, Mend vastly improved the livelihoods of some of the most vulnerable women in northern Uganda. Over time, the seamstresses significantly improved in skill, versatility, and confidence.

Through education and counseling, Mend also emphasized building a positive life for the seamstresses outside of work and employed a full-time Ugandan social worker who had significant experience with post-conflict trauma cases. Sessions with Mend’s social worker provided psychosocial support and counseling to the seamstresses and their families. Seamstresses left the program with an understanding of topics such as safe health practices, child health, family planning, gender-based violence and coping with psychosocial trauma.

Graduates of the Mend program also participated in weekly Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) meetings that focused on reading, writing and numeracy in their local language, Luo. Additionally, the seamstresses saved, borrowed and lent money together as part of our Village Savings and Loan (VSLA) program.

Perhaps the most striking achievement of the program is that all of the seamstresses received training to assist in developing sustainable income generating activities (IGAs) outside of their work at Mend. Because of this, they are now participating in their own income generating activities, fully independent of the program. Through their involvement in Mend, many of the seamstresses have been able to invest in their own education and the education of their children, purchase livestock, build homes, and start their own small businesses.