CEGGA Small Grant Helps Hmong Mother Turn Tailoring Dream into Reality

A small grant from the Team Europe flagship program, "CEGGA," has turned Xuelee’s dream into reality. Xuelee, a 23-year-old girl from the Hmong ethnic group, was a housewife but now owns a tailoring shop, which has become a key source of income for her family.

Xuelee, who came from a small village in Luang Prabang, had always dreamed of doing something meaningful for her family and community. For years, she focused on household chores, farming, and caring for her two children. However, everything changed in May 2024. The Association for Mutual Assistance (AMA), which receives a small grant from CEGGA, selected Xuelee for a three-month tailoring course.

During the course, Xuelee not only learned new skills in sewing and design but also discovered a passion for preserving her Hmong cultural heritage through traditional textiles. With full support from her family and encouragement from the trainers, she opened her own home-based tailoring shop in August 2024.

Since then, she has been crafting traditional outfits that reflect the rich patterns of her heritage. "I never thought I would be able to do this," Xuelee shared with a smile. "Thanks to the training and my family’s support. Now, I can help my husband earn income supporting our family and keep our traditions alive."

Her shop has become one of the family’s main sources of income, helping support her two children. Xuelee is a newcomer to the tailoring field, but she is committed to preserving their cultural craftsmanship and inspiring other Hmong women in the community to pursue their dreams.

Xuelee’s story is just one example of how the CEGGA program is driving inclusive development in Laos. CEGGA supports 23 civil society organizations through small grants, including AMA, to empower local communities. The program is funded by Switzerland, Germany, and the European Union and is implemented by GIZ.