Safi is a first-year student at One Thread Project who commutes over four hours roundtrip to attend classes at our center. She has a passion for one day opening her own dress shop in hopes of building a business that can both support her family and positively impact her community. Other women with similar challenges and aspirations have found meaningful opportunities through our programs. They embody the spirit of empowerment and resilience fostered by The One Thread Project.

Started with the single gift of a sewing machine in 2015, The One Thread Project is dedicated to empowering women and children in Kinshasa, DR Congo, through various programs and initiatives. At the Espoir Training Center we provide sewing vocational education, language literacy, business training, mentorship, and empowerment. We believe that every woman and child deserves equal access to education and opportunities for a better future, ultimately aiming to keep families together and break the cycle of poverty.

Over 350 women have benefitted from our programs, with 175 graduates, 16 new businesses launched through the Seed Loan program, and 5 staff members employed at a respectful wage. Additionally, we have expanded our reach by providing educational funding to 22 children to attend school. Support such as that from Mentors has allowed the organization to maintain its operations and open its physical doors to over 100 people every week, providing essential resources and opportunities to those in need.