For many in remote regions of Nigeria, trade jobs are their livelihood. Professions like shoe making allow them to gain a skill that allows them to earn a livable income. IRIS (Iowa Resource for International Service) alumnus Nendi Solomon, who lived in Washington, IA during his 2005-2006 stay as an exchange student, recently started a shoe making project to teach others the trade.

This project set out to provide a class of 30 students with the training needed so that they can make shoes in many different styles. The class consisted of two phases, and it met three times per week. Phase one taught the students how to physically construct a shoe. Then, phase two gave a more in-depth explanation of how to make loafers and higher quality products. In addition to that, the students learned marketing, sales and distribution tactics to prepare them to become small business owners.

The participants of the program could not be more amazed by the products they are making. One participant, Kwappet Paulina said,

"I didn't believe I could make anything beautiful with my hands."

Solomon was inspired to create this workshop after observing his neighbor's shoe making business.

"Every time I pass his shop, I saw him hanging nice shoes he made to sell...people admire them so much."

Solomon watched young children rush to his neighbor's shop after school and on holidays to learn how to make shoes. He used his connections with his neighbor, and with the help of an IRIS Global Grant, Solomon trained the students and observed the teachings to train himself. He hopes to host more workshops in the future and to act as a resource to assist in later classes.

To donate to IRIS' Global Grants program that supports programs like Solomon's visit the group's Facebook page and click 'Donate'.