In the year 2024, Multi-Educational and Agricultural Jesuit Institute of South Sudan (MAJIS) successfully empowered 40 unprivileged female youth e 20 young married women at Akol Jal, Rumbek South, with skills in crotchet dressmaking. The training was funded through AJAN.

Building on this success, AJAN provided additional funding in December 2025 to support 20 young women who excelled in the first programme, enabling them to advance into tailoring skills training. The purpose of this initiative is to promote self-sustainability and entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable female youth in Akol Jal, helping to alleviate economic poverty and uphold women’s dignity.

The programme delayed to take places because of two main reasons. First, political and economic instability, which disrupted access to sewing machines. Second, after reassessment, MAJIS realized that 5 sewing machines would not be sufficient to train 20 young women.

Joyful young women acquiring tailoring skills at MAJIS. Learning new skills in life is always exciting. Image by Fr. Wanyonyi Eric Simiyu.

After months of waiting, our prayers were answered. In May 2026, the borders reopened, and we successfully secured the sewing machines. Furthermore, in March 2026, AJAN extended its support through the initiative “Building Resilience in Women and Young Girls in Africa. (BRWGA)” With this funding, MAJIS purchased 12 sewing machines and one seam lock machine, strengthening the programme’s capacity. To maximize learning, each sewing machine is shared by two trainees, ensuring both practice and collaboration.

The training is now in progress, and the 20 selected trainees are full of excitement and hope. Many of them had dropped out of primary school due to family hardship and insecurity. Some are even former MAJIS learners from the early years when the institute offered only Nursery to Primary Two education. Soon the trainees will share their experience of training.

The Trainees are learning how to piece together learning material of female dress . Image by Fr. Wanyonyi Eric Simiyu.

Throughout the intensive programme, trainees are being equipped with the fundamentals of fashion, design, and tailoring. The curriculum combines theory with hands-on practice. By the end of the training, each participant will be able to: make school uniform both for boys and girls; female dresses and simple handbags. They will also be taught on how to brand their finished products.

As MAJIS continues to empower vulnerable young women through tailoring skills, we remain deeply grateful for the generous support we have received from through AJAN. Your partnership is transforming lives, restoring dignity, and opening doors to a brighter future for these trainees.

Por, Fr. Wanyonyi Eric Simiyu,

Director, Multi-Educational and Agricultural Jesuit Institute of South Sudan (MAJIS).