Sewing a Brighter Future: How Kazozo Secondary School is Empowering Girls

By Leana Padera (Communications Graduate Intern)

At Kazozo Secondary School, the steady hum of sewing machines signals a new chapter for students who once had to wait hours for their turn in the Textile Technology and Design programme. Today, girls like Sandra and Talent are not only learning new skills but also shaping brighter futures for themselves and their families.

The school, located in Rushinga District, had faced many challenges before. With only a handful of sewing machines for hundreds of learners, practical lessons were limited and frustrating. Teachers struggled to ensure every child gained the hands-on experience they needed to pass exams and gain useful life skills.

This changed when World Vision, with the support of World Vision USA, donated five additional sewing machines. Now, with more equipment, over 200 girls are benefitting from practical lessons that prepare them for both exams and real-life opportunities.

Sandra, a Form Four student, expressed her excitement: 

“Before, it was difficult to get enough practice because the machines were so few. Now, I can sew more often, and I feel confident that I can pass my exams and even use these skills after school.”

For her classmate, Talent, the opportunity means more than just a subject grade. “I dream of becoming a fashion designer,” she said with a smile. 

“These machines are helping me learn the skills I will need to make my dream come true.”

The programme is not only improving academic performance but also giving girls practical skills they can use to support themselves and their families. Teachers have already noticed improved confidence and commitment among the students, as they now see how education links to future opportunities.

Beyond sewing, the initiative is helping to address other barriers girls face in education. With training in life skills, girls are also learning about menstrual health and hygiene, leadership, and financial literacy. These lessons are giving them tools to overcome challenges that often cause girls to drop out of school.

Kazozo Secondary School’s transformation is a story of hope, resilience, and opportunity. What once was a place of limited resources is now a centre of possibility, where girls are gaining knowledge and skills that will carry them into the future.

Thanks to the support of World Vision and its partners, girls at Kazozo are not only passing exams—they are sewing a brighter tomorrow for themselves, their families, and their community.