NEW Life Church Mushili congregation has given 19 widows and one widower of Ndola 20 sewing machines to start tailoring businesses.

The widows and a widower were presented with the sewing machines on Sunday after undergoing an extensive training programme in tailoring and knitting.

New Life Mushili congregation pastor, Christian Bwalya said the beneficiaries had shown a lot of commitment towards improving their livelihood.

"Since the programme stated a few years ago, we have trained over 100 people. The people who are graduating today will make use of their newly acquired skills to generate income for themselves and be able to look after their families," he said.

He said the programme had been done in partnership with an American organisation called Forgotten Voices which provided the finances for the project.

Pastor Bwalya who founded Mercy Ministries, a department in charge of widows and orphans, said his church would continue to make a difference in the community.

Ndola Mayor, Davies Chiwala thanked New Life Church Mushili Congregation for coming to the aid of the poor.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to form clubs so that it could be easy for them to entice customers.

"You organise yourselves so that you have market for your products. You also need raw materials." he said.

The mayor also said he was expecting positive results from the beneficiaries.