nuru women project leadership
My name is Michaela Schwarz, and I am a trained rehabilitation teacher for the blind and visually impaired, specializing in daily living skills (LPF) and orientation and mobility (O&M).
In 2024, I first learned about the Nuru Women project in Germany. The project consists of 15 blind women between the ages of 24 and 30, each with very different life experiences. Due to their visual impairments, all of them had to leave the education system prematurely, meaning none of these young women have had the opportunity to pursue advanced education. Support systems comparable to those in Germany do not exist in Kenya.
Sewing fabric sanitary pads is an excellent opportunity to provide the Nuru Women with a real chance at independent living. Therefore, I support the project by providing guidance on accessible design and donating white canes and edge filter glasses.
However, my most important contribution is my hands-on work on-site. In my lessons, I teach orientation techniques at the sewing machine, in the workshop, and around the premises, as well as different long cane techniques. Additionally, the women learn specific sewing techniques adapted for the visually impaired, such as assembling fabric pieces and safely operating a sewing machine without injury.
Over time, I have come to know each woman in her personal living environment. I am familiar with their individual strengths and can provide personalized support within their cultural framework.
This work is both a challenging and rewarding task. I would greatly appreciate any support for these women, whether through the donation of assistive devices, material contributions, or professional and educational collaboration.
I am Elizabeth, the Founder and Director of this initiative, built to empower visually impaired women with skills, independence, and dignity. What started as a small effort to break barriers has now become a movement—one that is changing lives and shaping a future where no woman is left behind.
Today, Nuru Women is more than just a project. It is a safe space where women are trained in sewing, knitting, and the production of reusable sanitary pads. It is a place where ability triumphs over limitation, where challenges become stepping stones to independence. We have seen incredible growth, but our journey is far from over.
The future we envision is one of sustainability and expansion. We aim to scale up our production, enhance training programs, and introduce more assistive technologies that make our workspaces truly inclusive. We dream of creating opportunities beyond our walls—where these women can lead, advocate, and inspire change in their communities.
This mission is bigger than us, and we invite you to be a part of it. Whether through partnerships, mentorship, donations, or simply sharing our story, your support fuels our vision. Together, we are not just changing lives—we are redefining what’s possible.
Join us. The future is bright.
I am Michael Ongaro, the Project Lead of the Nuru Women Project, where we are breaking barriers and building opportunities for visually impaired women. This initiative is more than just a project—it is a movement towards independence, dignity, and lasting change.
From the start, my role has been to ensure that our vision translates into action. I work closely with the team to create a structured, inclusive, and empowering environment where women can learn, grow, and thrive. Through skills training, advocacy, and resource mobilization, we are turning challenges into opportunities and proving that disability does not mean inability.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our impact—scaling up production, strengthening partnerships, and integrating more assistive technologies to enhance accessibility. We envision a future where visually impaired women are not just beneficiaries but leaders and changemakers in their own right.
This journey is a shared one, and we need you to walk with us. Your support—whether through collaboration, donations, or amplifying our story—helps us push boundaries and create a world where everyone, regardless of ability, has a chance to succeed.
Together, we are shaping a future of inclusion and empowerment.
