Women's Mentoring Program

About the Program

In tandem with our Kambi Teso feeding program, Open Arms has developed a women's mentoring program.  This program is designed to empower women to provide for their children as well as helping themselves to a better life.  They may be mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or sisters, but all struggle with the realities of raising a large family, with little or no income.  Most are unable to provide the basic necessities for their children.

Weekly, members of Open Arms' staff travel to Kambi Teso to hold classes for the women in this program.  While their children enjoy a nutritious meal in the Open Arms feeding program, the mothers learn practical life skills.  Lessons in basic mathematics, small business principles, money management, child rearing, hygiene, health, and more are shared.  Job placement assistance and help establishing small businesses are also provided to these women. 

We've already seen great success from this program.  Several women have started successful small businesses.  Another tangible outcome is the increased number of children attending school.  When this program was started in 2008, only 20% of the children in our feeding program were attending school.   Now, nearly 80% are.  Empowering self-sufficiency in these women has made all the difference.

Support the Program

If you would like to find out more about the Women's Mentoring Program, please call the Open Arms International office at 503-296-9989.  If you would like to donate to this program, please indicate on your payment “Women's Mentoring Program.”