We celebrate this first graduating class of the Malkia Sewing Center as 40 ladies persevered through bombing, shooting, hunger and unrest to complete their training. As the situation in Goma was going from bad to worse, our Almighty God protected the TransformDRC team, our families and our Malkia Center students. We praise the Lord for His mercy and His grace upon us.
Background
Malkia is a Swahili word that means “She is Transformed.” Traditionally, women in Congo were not educated and were dependent on their husbands for everything. TransformDRC is training women to be transformed by educating them in sewing and life skills.
The goal of the Malkia Training Center is to empower and equip women and girls, giving them skills and resources to raise them out of poverty and improve the lives of their families. Their communities and churches also benefit as they become productive members of society.
After a 10-month training at the center, each graduate passes a government exam and receives a certificate allowing them to open a tailoring business right away. This allows them to pay school fees, cover medical expenses and buy adequate food for their children.
Graduation
A ceremony was held in July 2025 to celebrate the 40 women graduates. It was a joyous event filled with singing, dancing, food and celebration.
The most excitement occurred when each woman received her own sewing machine and a starter kit.
The local community got involved as pastors representing many denominations and the president of the Women’s Federation attended the ceremony to lend support to the program.
Key Achievements
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40 Sewing machines and starter kits distributed to graduates
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40 Women will start a sewing business
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240 Children will attend school, receive medical care and have adequate food
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40 Women equipped in life skills
This diploma is not just a paper; it is a springboard toward our dignity … With our sewing machines & starter kits our dreams have already become a reality … Malkia is there to bring hope to hopeless people.
Senka, Malkia Sewing Center Graduate
Poem written by one of the graduates
“I am Senga, an 18-year-old orphan. I was only able to finish primary school, but I love to write poetry. Here is a poem I wrote to share my testimony about my experience with Malkia Sewing Center.”
Yesterday, my hands were searching for their path Today, they can create, they can hold destiny.
At the Malkia Center, I found my voice
In the silence of the fabrics, I learned to trust in Jesus.
Each dressmaking tells of my struggle and my determination. Each step affirms: I am here, I will succeed.
Glory be to God and thanks to the trainers, To TransformDRC ministry that sows seeds of values and skills.
While a thousand questions circulated in my head
Asking myself if I would be accepted,
I would be among the happy learners!
Wow, I received it with dignity and respect,
Without any discrimination,
neither tribalism nor level of studies.
Malkia has become my family!
This diploma is not just a paper, It is a springboard toward my dignity, toward my destiny. We are forty that graduated, and we all are ready to shine With our kits, our dreams have already become a reality.
To you, dear sisters and brothers, in search of hope,
Malkia is there to bring hope to hopeless people. Please come to sew your destiny.
Where faith and effort are allied, miracles happen. I have got freedom, we’ve got freedom
We are equipped and we are proud today.
Thanks to our dear mother Marie-Jeanne, woman of vision.
Thanks to TransformDRC team, thanks to our teachers in Malkia.
Thanks to all these Heroes working in the shadows.
To relieve our pains and put smiles on our lips,
By equipping us, you send us, so that we may fly with our own wings.
Thanks to all TDRC partners from USA for supporting in many ways the TDRC team.
Your efforts, encouragement and support boost us toward our Destiny.
Find here and now the expression of our gratitude