Rev. Ahimbisbwe Herimence, C.S.C., serves as the Director of the Audrey Veldman Vocational Training Center (AVVTC) in Kitete, Tanzania. The school provides 2-year training programs for adolescents who wish to pursue trades that could eventually provide them with long-term financial stability. Current program offerings include tailoring and knitting, electrical installation, masonry and bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, welding and metal fabrication, hairdressing and beauty, tour guiding, priming and pipe fitting, driving, and information, computer, and technology. Recently, the school acquired three new machines that are helping students strengthen their skills while generating additional income for the school.
The idea began when Fr. Herimence was about to order new priestly vestments from an external supplier. He realized that the AVVTC tailoring and sewing students could instead create vestments themselves and improve their skills, and earn a profit for the school while doing so. However, their simple sewing machines couldn’t produce the ornate designs typically found on vestments. So Fr. Herimence decided to apply for a grant from the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) to purchase an embroidery machine to make this idea possible.
As he envisioned other opportunities for student growth and school sustainability, he decided to additionally apply for an auto-knitting machine and a carpentry combination machine. Thanks to the generosity of the HCMC benefactors, the AVVTC received $30,000 (USD) to purchase these three new machines.
The students began using the carpentry machine in November 2024, and they began using the embroidery and auto-knitting machines in April 2025. Each machine is used for both study and production: Pupils first receive hands-on training and then apply their skills to make finished products.
With the combination carpentry machine, students can now produce many of the school’s furnishings themselves. Using locally sourced timber, they use the machine to smooth, cut, and join the timber to create tables, chairs, cupboards, windows, and doors for the school. This saves the school money and allows the carpentry trainees a chance to practice their skills.
First-year knitting students begin to learn their trade manually, and in their second year, they are introduced to the auto-knitting machine. They use that machine once a week to make sweaters for the school to sell.
The embroidery machine will not formally be added to the AVVTC curriculum until next year, but AVVTC students and staff have already made good use of it. They have added embroidered logos to the sweaters and adorned priestly vestments with intricate designs. So far, they have also created about 50 chasubles, along with a few albs and clerical shirts.
The products from these three machines have not only saved AVVTC a significant amount of money but have also generated approximately $4,000 (USD) in income for the school. About 20 chasubles have been sold to priests from Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. By using locally sourced materials and labor while selling to both local and international buyers, AVVTC has contributed meaningfully to the regional economy.
The school’s growing reputation since the installation of the machines has drawn attention from beyond Tanzania. According to Fr. Herimence, parents from both Uganda and Kenya have expressed interest in sending their children to AVVTC after learning about its innovative programs.
The only problem they have faced so far with the project, Fr. Herimence noted, is an inability to create as many sweaters as the locals desire. The AVVTC is the only place in the region that creates high quality sweaters, so the demand is very high. He hopes that they can eventually increase their sweater production and potentially buy another machine to meet the local needs.
Fr. Herimence expressed his deep pride and gratitude for the new machines: It is “one of the projects that really makes me very happy…I’m really so proud of them, and whenever I enter the room, I feel a lot of joy.”
Provided by Madeline Thompson, Project Coordinator, October 2025
