Kumi Apparel | TAILORING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Kumi is the result of School For Life Foundation's vocational training program, an initiative developed by our community to teach under-educated and unemployed women how to sew. 

As the project expanded and products became market-worthy, a small, but distinct, social enterprise evolved named - Kumi.

Kumi means 10 in the local language (Luganda) and represents the team of 10 women employed in the initiative. Invoking practical training and applicable core subject courses, Kumi seeks to unlock the creative potential within aspiring tailors and empower them with new expertise. Kumi's co-op training model allows participants to earn an income while acquiring and refining their professional tailoring skills. 

The inspiration for Kumi products flows from both international fashions and timeless, local Ugandan traditions. Our garments and accessories are an exciting fusion of bold African kitenge with beautiful, practical and resourceful designs. The result is a distinctive, must-have collection of apparel and accessories that will be cherished. Not only will your individually-crafted piece invite compliments and create a stir wherever you go, you can be confident that 100% of your purchase proceeds are reinvested to support the project, and ongoing education in the community.

Many of the Kumi products are only available in Uganda, though you are able to support the project by buying some of our products online in Australia. You can also sponsor one of the tailoring women, enabling us to improve our workshop, train more women, and hire more local staff.

FOLLOW KUMI ON FACEBOOK FOR REGULAR UPDATES.

CHECK OUT OUR 'GIFTS WITH IMPACT'

the perfect present for someone who has everything!

Featured
Desk and Chair (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Desk and Chair (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
75.00

A DESK AND CHAIR ARE GREAT BUILDING BLOCKS
Being equipped with school furniture contributes to the learning process, enabling children at School for Life to receive the best education they can, and giving them the freedom to change the course of their life. 

Your tax deductible donation is rewarded with a beautiful card to gift your loved one.

Gifts With Impact
Chicken Education Project (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Chicken Education Project (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
400.00

School for Life values the provision of rounded education programs that include contextual life skills for our students. $400 funds a program for a class of students to undertake an animal husbandry program, teaching them valuable skills they can take back to their families.

Gifts With Impact
Goat (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Goat (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
30.00

The goats at Katuuso are important for producing manure to help the farmers grow fruit and vegetables. They love eating the grass and do an incredible job of keeping it short. 

Gifts With Impact
Piglet (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Piglet (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
40.00

 

Gifts With Impact
Chicken (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Chicken (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
15.00
Gifts With Impact
Pencil case filled with pencils (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Pencil case filled with pencils (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
10.00

ALL YOU NEED IS A PENCIL, AND YOU CAN DRAW A DIFFERENT WORLD.
Pencils and paints allow students to express themselves, develop coordination, and widen their imaginations. 
In return for your tax deductible donation, you will receive a Christmas card from School for Life you can give to whoever you choose, and 100% of your donation will go directly to School for Life in Uganda. 
Thank you for helping School for Life students have the educational materials they need to start school in 2017. 

Please allow up to 14 working days for your cards to arrive in the mail. All orders for Christmas must be received by School for Life before 6th December to allow time for shipment. 

Gifts With Impact
Mosquito Nets (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Mosquito Nets (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
15.00

Mosquito nets are essential for protection against Malaria. These nets will allow the community of Katuuso to stay healthy.

Gifts With Impact
Cow (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Cow (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
200.00

The manure from the cows may be smelly, but it helps to create electricity to power the school. Their milk keeps everyone healthy, happy, and ready to learn. 

Gifts With Impact
Puzzles and Games (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
Puzzles and Games (tax deductible)
Gifts With Impact
25.00

In return for your tax deductible donation, you will receive a card from School for Life you can give to whoever you choose, and 100% of your donation will go directly to School for Life in Uganda. 
Puzzles, building blocks, board games, and dominoes are used to teach counting and problem solving. They will stimulate, engage, and educate young people for years to come.

EDUCATION CHANGES EVERYTHING - YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE LEARNING FUN. 

Gifts With Impact
Books for the Library (tax deductible + bonus gift)
Gifts With Impact
Books for the Library (tax deductible + bonus gift)
Gifts With Impact
100.00

"A ROOM WITHOUT BOOKS IS LIKE A BODY WITHOUT A SOUL” - Cicero


In return for your tax deductible donation, you will receive a hand-made apron by School for Life's women's empowerment program. 100% of your donation will go directly to School for Life in Uganda.


Children attending School for Life have often never seen a book before they start school. The library is one of the most treasured rooms, and at every opportunity it is filled with students reading.

Gifts With Impact
Success Stories
Rose Nambooze

Rose is a 32‐year‐old single mother of one. She started working with SFL in 2013, after taking part in our tailoring training program. Prior to working with us, she was unemployed and living in her father's home helping to care for her father, who had cataracts, and his farm.
Thanks to her full time employment, Rose was able to save enough money to pay for an eye operation and restore her father's sight, allowing him to return to work as a mechanic. Now, Rose has moved into her own home and no longer relies on her father financially. 

Joseph

Joseph is one of our Special Needs teachers at Katuuso. After surviving a severe case of malaria at age four, he was left permanently deaf. He was raised by his single mother and attended a nursery school for the handicapped and later transferred to a school for the Deaf in Kampala. He eventually mastered sign language and pursued a university degree in education. Joseph decided to become a teacher so that he could give the gift of education to others who are hearing impaired.

Teddy Namatovu

Teddy is a participant in the Kumi Tailoring Program and four of her five children attend Katuuso Primary School. She and her husband farm two acres of land, which supplies fluctuating revenue. Participation in the Kumi Tailoring Project has secured income to reliably pay for school fees, nutritious meals and renovations to the family home. Teddy has gained a great deal of self-esteem from her ability to support her family and she takes pride in independently financing the education of all five children. Teddy has also been working on her numeracy and administration skills. She was appointed Treasurer of the tailoring group and will be responsible for keeping records of their savings.

Flaviah Nassaazi

Flaviah Nassaazi started working at Katuuso Primary and Vocational School in 2011. Prior to cooking at the school, she and her husband were subsistence farmers. They worked tirelessly for small yields and minimal income to support their family. Flaviah's cooking job not only enables her to pay school fees for her children, but she has also invested in a local barbershop business. She is now passing her cooking skills onto her eldest son Frank, who has also joined the school's cooking staff. Flaviah and her husband attend the adult literacy classes offered weekly at the school. Her English and reading have improved immensely, as well as her confidence.

Joyce

We met Joyce in 2013. She was 10 years old and had epilepsy. Joyce was having 3 seizures and had been hidden away due to the stigma attached to having a disability in Uganda. We gave her medication that costs us just $10 a month, has stabilised her seizures and she learns in a safe and happy environment.

Rachel

In 2010, Rachel began as a cleaner at Katuuso Primary and Vocational School. She was working to save money to study to be a teacher at University. Thanks to Barrie and Simone Goldsmith, her dream of studying came true and she is now fully qualified.

Nufaisa

Meeting Nufaisa in person and witnessing first hand the impact our small donations make to her education, was unforgettable. 

Stu's sponsorship

Stu’s sponsorship allowed Jennifer to go to school for a whole year. 

Darren & Tracey

Darren and Tracey’s donation helped fund our dental clinic and provide toothbrushes to all our students.

Stu’s sponsorship allowed Jennifer to go to school for a whole year.