Thanks to the generous donation of a sewing machine in 2015, Nkechi has a new livelihood. After completing her 12-month course of leprosy treatment,which cured her of leprosy before the disease had a chance to inflict permanent damage, she has reintegrated into the community, and now has a home and her own tailor shop.

Having completed her training as a professional tailor, thanks to funding from The Leprosy Outreach, she now earns enough money to support her parents and younger siblings, ensuring that her sister and brother are able to remain in school.

The Empowerment Project, which encourages individuals to set up cottage industries and small trading operations, was created in collaboration with people affected by Leprosy (PAL) in both of the settlements who wish to be economically self-reliant and independent. The project supplies funds and resources to help entrepreneurs start small businesses, such as creating hand-made soap, farming, petty trading and others. With the help of Leprosy Outreach, soap-making ingredients are purchased from the local market and delivered to the settlement.

Residents make the soap in the settlement by hand, later returning to the same market to sell it. This is an ongoing project.