17/10/2025
Threads & Beads of Resilience: How Buchanan Women Are Sewing a Brighter Future
By Wlemogar Wilson Chea, Freelance Journalist
Young Annie K. Moses’s fingers dance across the beads, threading vibrant colors into stunning necklaces that tell a story of resilience. Just months ago, she was caught in a cycle of poverty, relying on friends to feed her family. But then she joined WORIWA's Women's Economic Empowerment initiative and discovered her passion for bead making. With WORIWA's training and support, Annie’s creations quickly gained traction in local markets, and her business took off with a small loan from her VSLA savings group.
This isn't just Mary’s story; it is a testament to the transformative power of skills training that is empowering scores of women in Liberia's Grand Bassa County.
In the unassuming Flour Mill Community, a quiet revolution is underway – a mental and economic revolution turning lives around one stitch and one bead at a time.
Meet Grace Mitchell, a student who’s mastered the art of bead making. In an interview, she testified: “I used to buy beads from the market and just string them together. But after the training, I learned how to design and create unique pieces that sell well.”
With her newfound skills, Grace has started selling her creations at school and in her community, earning money to support her education.
Meanwhile, another beneficiary, Grace Kpew, has found success with her tailoring business. “I used to struggle to afford school uniforms for my children,” she says. “But after learning how to sew, I started making clothes for the community and now I can afford to send them to school.”
Grace’s story is echoed by dozens of women who have benefited from WORIWA’s WEE program, learning valuable skills in tailoring and bead making.
The numbers tell a compelling story: 32 women and girls trained in tailoring and bead making, 20 small businesses launched, and consistent weekly income generated. But it is the ripple effects that are truly remarkable – improved living conditions, boosted confidence, and a newfound sense of purpose.
For these women, the journey to economic independence is not just about earning a living; it is also about dignity, self-reliance, and empowering others.
Felecia Tarr also testifies: “Before this training, I depended on others for everything. Now, I earn my own money and support my children. I feel proud to be a woman with skills.”
WORIWA's program has shown that with the right training and support, women can break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.
As these women continue to weave and sew their way to economic independence, they are inspiring a new generation of women to do the same.
