Her Innovation Cameroon in partnership with American Women of International Understanding (AWIU)
On 21 October 2026, Her Innovation Cameroon (HIC) launched the second phase of the Green Stitch Project: the orientation of 15 trainees in sewing and upcycling. This follows a first phase that covered the mapping and selection of trainees, the procurement of equipment and supplies, and the preparation of the training space.
The session began at 11:00 a.m. with about five trainees present. Others arrived as the morning went on, and by the end of the programme most had joined their peers.
A Warm Welcome
The Executive Director of HIC, Ms. Futih Laura Nge, opened the event with a brief history of the organisation and an overview of the Green Stitch Project, highlighting its objectives and expected results. She then introduced the team leading the programme.
A Holistic Programme
Programme Coordinator Ms. Maliva Gina Mbone explained how the programme is structured around three thematic areas:
- Sewing and upcycling
- Financial literacy and business creation
- Psychosocial support
She urged the trainees to take every component seriously. The programme is designed to build each of them for personal and socio-economic growth, and no section should be treated as less important than another. She also outlined how trainees will be evaluated throughout the programme so that each can achieve her best results.
Introducing Upcycling
Ms. Quincy Mundi, who leads the core sewing and upcycling training, introduced the key concepts of the programme. She asked the trainees what upcycling means and why it matters for society today. Several already had a basic understanding of upcycling and environmental protection, which impressed her. She also answered their questions and addressed their concerns about the training and about setting up a business after the programme.
Healing, Confidence and Independence
The session closed with a segment on psychosocial support, led by Ms. Mbomua Fely Jack Nkeze, HIC’s Lead for Education and Curriculum Development. She walked the trainees through the foundations of emotional healing and confidence-building as preparation for independence. She explained that HIC is creating a safe space built on ground rules of confidentiality, respect and non-judgment, with the aim of helping each trainee grow into a well-rounded woman and citizen of Cameroon.
She then presented the five core modules that she and Ms. Gina will deliver:
- Self-esteem and identity: helping trainees know who they are beyond their problems.
- Emotional management: simple stress and breathing techniques for handling pressure from clients and from life.
- Healthy relationships and communication: boundaries, assertiveness, saying no, and gender-based violence (GBV) awareness, in both personal life and future businesses.
- Resilience and problem-solving: understanding that the past does not define the future.
- Sisterhood and support: building peer support pairs and linking trainees with female mentors where needed.
She showed how this support connects directly to financial literacy. When they value themselves, they will not undercharge themselves. When they control their emotions, they can save. When they are confident, they can run a business.
What Trainees Can Look Forward To
- A short check-in at the start of every session, whether upcycling or financial literacy, on how each trainee is feeling.
- A private listening corner for anyone who wishes to share her story.
- A closing celebration where each trainee will present a dress she made and a life lesson she learned.
Our Key Message
The orientation ended with a message that sums up the spirit of the project:
“We are not just learning to give new value to up-cycled clothes through sewing, but we are mending our lives and stitching our own future.”
Follow Her Innovation Cameroon for more updates as the Green Stitch Project unfolds.