Tailoring & Fashion Training Facilitator

Are you passionate about using your tailoring skills to transform women’s lives? We are seeking a dedicated facilitator to lead our Hope Designers Project, equipping vulnerable women with the skills to rebuild their lives, generate income, and enter the fashion industry with confidence. This role is not just about stitching clothes—it’s about stitching hope back into lives. By teaching tailoring skills, you’ll empower women to stand on their own feet, create sustainable businesses, and transform stigma into strength. If you feel passionate about sharing your skills and believe tailoring can be a tool for empowerment and change, we want to hear from you!

About Us

Hope Designers is a project of Kar Geno, a non-profit organization working to empower communities through a variety of strategies. Based in Manyatta, Kisumu, Hope Designers supports HIV-affected women by equipping them with professional tailoring skills and entrepreneurship training, enabling them to start and sustain their own fashion businesses.

We are not driven by profit — we are fueled by purpose. Our mission is to transform lives, unlock potential, and uplift entire communities through the empowerment of women.

We are currently partnering with SewAid, an organization that provides women in underprivileged communities with the opportunity to learn sewing, along with the machines, equipment, and skills needed to start small home businesses in dressmaking, alterations, and repairs. Through this partnership, we aim to scale up our program and reach many more deserving women.

Our Mission

We aim to empower women in Kisumu's informal settlements to achieve socio-economic independence. Through business development training, personal development, and hands-on skills, our women become not just entrepreneurs — but community changemakers.

Our approach is holistic: we begin by helping women rediscover their self-worth, ignite their passions, and provide the tools they need to succeed in business and life.

Position Overview

This is a part-time position on an annual contract. The program runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, aligning with the days our women participate in tailoring and training sessions. These women are the primary breadwinners in their families, so we give them the other days for their personal responsibilities, creating a balanced and respectful work rhythm for both participants and staff. There is potential for promotion to full-time based on performance, dedication, and program growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver both theory and practical sessions in tailoring and fashion design.
• Train women in cutting fabrics, measuring, and producing garments across clothing categories (men, women, and children).
• Guide participants in making other creative products such as bags, tissue holders, and reusable sanitary napkins.
• Assess, mentor, and monitor the progress of trainees.
• Interview and assess program applicants to identify those most suitable for participation.
• Coordinate with NITA (National Industrial Training Authority) to facilitate certification for women who successfully complete the program.
• Support and lead educational program events with participants and assist in the successful implementation of assigned projects.
• Measure and report on the overall impact of the program and each participant’s outcomes.
• Encourage and facilitate participation into Kar Geno Table banking.
• Maintain accurate organization of program files (online and hard copy) as well as inventory of products produced.
• Assist with marketing, outreach, and community engagement efforts.
• Take a proactive approach in identifying and responding to program needs.
• Communicate program progress regularly with the Executive Director.

Ideal Candidate MUST Have:

• Strong tailoring expertise, including proficiency with manual standard sewing machines.
• Familiarity with overlock and embroidery machines.
• Up-to-date knowledge of fashion trends for men, women, and children.
• Previous experience conducting tailoring training as an instructor.
• Ability to read and write effectively (formal education in tailoring is an added advantage, though not required).
• Strong drive and commitment to transforming women’s lives through tailoring.
• Patience and mentoring ability to guide women into becoming independent fashion entrepreneurs.
• Experience running Income Generating Activities (IGA) and/or working with vulnerable women or women’s empowerment programs is strongly desired.
• Experience in business development and entrepreneurship.
• Background in development studies or community health and development is an added advantage.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Strong project management abilities, with the capacity to prioritize, multitask, and complete assignments thoroughly and on time.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team.
• Access to the internet and ability to communicate effectively via email and Skype.

Applicants must have the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English, Kiswahili, and Luo. Proficiency in all three languages is essential for engaging with local communities, conducting outreach, and supporting program participants with clarity and cultural sensitivity.