MARGARET CHISANGA
Lusaka
LUSAKA Central Member of Parliament, Mulambo Haimbe, has handed over 24 sewing machines donated by the First Lady Mutinta Hichilema to designers operating within the constituency.
Delivering the machines in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Haimbe said he had noted the various requests from different sectors operating in the constituency and further took it up to lobby for empowerment from the First Lady to benefit the people of Lusaka Central.
“In response, the First Lady allocated 24 sewing machines to the constituency as part of her ongoing efforts to support community skills development and women’s empowerment initiatives across the country,” he said.
Mr Haimbe expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her support and commitment to improving livelihoods.
“I wish to sincerely thank the First Lady for responding positively to our request. These sewing machines will go a long way in empowering the people with practical skills that can help them generate income and become self-reliant,” he said.
The beneficiaries, who included designers and students from institutions in Lusaka Central, thanked the First Lady for the donation and appreciated Mr Haimbe for lobbying on their behalf. They said the sewing machines would strengthen their tailoring skills and enable them to expand.
Speaking on behalf of other recipients, Precious Nkinke, who operates a designing shop in Nyumba Yanga market urged Mr Haimbe to thank the First Lady, and assure her that the machines would result in great improvement in the speed at which clothes and uniforms would be made.
“One of the challenges we have been having is that we have using old machines, making our output very slow. We do have the orders from various customers, and now this will improve our delivery time,” she said.
And Piant Katebe, who described the various functions of the new machines, said his business would now be boosted as he would be able to put into practice things he could previously not do, owing to his old machine.
Speaking on behalf of other Community leaders, Lusaka District Vice-chairperson John Njombo commended both Mr Haimbe and the First Lady for prioritizing grassroots empowerment, describing the initiative as a significant boost to economic development within Lusaka Central.
He further called on the Mr Haimbe to continue lobbying for others sectors, including hair stylists and artistes and to continue advocating for tangible development in Lusaka Central Constituency.
