Ambassador Attends Graduation of Women Assisted by U.S. Self-Help Grant

The Graduates of St. Lucy of Filippini's programs

Ambassador McMullen with Graduates

On July 5, the U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission attended a graduation ceremony at the St. Lucy Filippini School of Home Economics and assisted in distributing diplomas to women who had successfully completed the six-month certificate and two-year diploma sewing and home economic courses. The U.S. Embassy supported the school’s 2008 programs with an Ambassador’s Self-Help grant used to purchase sewing machines and supplies. The school’s programs, which have been operating for 12 years, focus on empowering women, and target widows, single mothers, and destitute women, particularly those trying to support families. The school offers several programs: a two-year course to include training in sewing, home management, hygiene, health education, childcare, cooking, and English language skills, as well as shorter six-month certificate courses in areas of home management and sewing/embroidery. Since the school opened, approximately 500 women have received training.