Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page.

Why Guinea Bissau?

Smaller than Switzerland, it has 1.9 mln people with 69% living below the poverty line and 25% suffering chronic malnutrition. Its GDP is one of the 10 lowest in the world.

Since its independence in 1973, it has undergone huge instabilities, incl. a civil war with 350,000 people displaced and 80% infrastructure destroyed.

It has the highest rate of coups and prolonged teachers' strikes due to lack of payment. Drug traffickers are also using it as a trans-shipment point into Europe.

My story

As I took up sewing in 2021, by chance, my trainer put me in touch with a volunteer coordinator (Action Guinea Bissau). They were looking for someone to work at Tchico Te, the only teacher training college in Guinea Bissau. 

I am now supporting over 30 secondary school teachers, via Zoom, 4 days a week, in one of the most underfunded countries in the world.

I am also continuing learning sewing, hoping it will bring some tangible outcomes for Guinea Bissau.

Why recycling?

70% used of our clothes are sent to Africa and this is damaging Africa's own industry. 91% households choose cheap imports, while tonnes of unwanted garments end up in local rivers.

Hence, an idea to recycle 2nd-hand dresses from Guinea-B to raise awareness of the country's needs and promote a ''zero waste'' approach by using garments worn by mothers, grandmothers and young girls who live there. 

My desire for 2022?

Blessings for everyone reading this story and for Guinea Bissau.

The donations will go to microcredit projects, incl. for the woman in Catio to help her trade materials and the menstrual health project aimed at sewing sanitation pads for girls and women*