A student has used her passion for inclusive footwear as a springboard into an international initiative, teaching shoemaking skills to women in Tanzania and presenting the project at the United Nations. 

For many people working in the footwear industry, the ability to design and make shoes is a career. In some parts of the world, however, those same skills can represent the opportunity to earn an income, support a family and build a future. That belief inspired De Montfort University (DMU) student Damari Kota Diur-Kota to take the technical knowledge she was gaining on her footwear design course in Leicester and share it with women in Tanzania, helping them gain practical skills that could eventually become the foundation of a livelihood.

The 25-year-old London-based student originally enrolled at DMU with ambitions of creating fashionable footwear for people who require extended sizing and wider fits. However, as her studies progressed, she realised her ambitions extended beyond footwear design alone. “During my first year, I realised my wider goal was to make people feel confident, supported and achieve a sense of belonging through their style,” she explains.

That realisation led to an ambitious proposal through DMU Global, the university’s international volunteering programme. Damari applied to deliver footwear training in Tanzania and was delighted when her project was accepted. She travelled to Arusha for four weeks to work alongside Perfect Vision Women Tanzania, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to tackling poverty through education and skills development.

There, Damari taught 15 women and girls aged between 15 and 37 the fundamentals of footwear design and manufacture. The programme covered foot anatomy, working with shoe lasts, sketching footwear, pattern cutting, material preparation, stitching and sole attachment. Participants also visited a local leather supplier to gain a broader understanding of the supply chain and materials used in production. “Securing supplies with local tanneries plays an important role in this process, as they ensure a reliable supply of quality leather, create opportunities for knowledge exchange and strengthen links in the community,” says Damari.

The project highlighted how relatively simple shoemaking skills can become a valuable economic asset in regions where vocational training opportunities are limited and unemployment remains high. By learning how to produce footwear, participants gained practical knowledge that could potentially be developed into small businesses or employment opportunities. “Most women I taught lived on the poverty line, and some hadn’t received a formal education,” says Damari. “However, these women and girls had hopes, dreams and ideas for their careers. I wanted to bring technical skills and something that I know these women could use to start selling their products in the future.”

Recognising the importance of accessibility, Damari arranged translation of training materials into Swahili and built up the partnership with local leather supply. By the project’s conclusion, her work had reached more than 1,800 people and culminated in a graduation celebration recognising the participants’ achievements.

Global recognition

The impact of the project soon extended beyond Tanzania. In January, DMU was selected as chair of the United Nations Academic Impact Hub for Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities – becoming the only UK university to hold such a position. Damari’s work was highlighted as an example of how practical skills development can contribute to sustainable communities and economic empowerment. Dr Mark Charlton, associate professor of sustainable development, praised her achievement. “Not only did Damari leave Tanzania having provided footwear for the women she helped, she also left them with the skills to make their own. It is a brilliant piece of sustainable development work”.

The success of the programme led to another opportunity: presenting the project at United Nations headquarters in New York as part of a panel discussion focused on the Sustainable Development Goals through DMU’s SDG Student Fellows programme. “It felt amazing – are there even words?” she says. “Visiting the UN was one of the top three biggest achievements of my life, alongside the programme itself. The level of support, encouragement and energy was so high. I felt open, confident, excited, thrilled and exhilarated.”

Damari says the response from the UN delegation reinforced her belief that local action can have global relevance. “The United Nations Academic Impact team were so engaged and interested in my project. I received amazing feedback and it was great to represent people doing work in their communities. I learned that there are always people watching and supporting good initiatives.”

Practical skills

While the recognition has been significant, Damari remains focused on the women she worked with in Tanzania and the next stage of their development. “Next, I’d like to teach them how to add accessories,” she says. “The first time around we made sliders and strap sandals, but I’d like them to add trims because it will make the shoes more profitable.”

She also hopes to provide participants with shoe lasts, enabling them to continue making footwear independently and potentially generate an income from their work. The experience has also strengthened her commitment to her own charitable initiative, Luminary Footwear, which aims to bring shoemaking education to communities across Africa. The long-term goal is to equip people with practical skills that can lead to employment, entrepreneurship and greater economic independence. 

With further visits planned to Thailand and Vietnam, Damari’s journey demonstrates how footwear skills can be about more than making shoes. “I want to hear more ‘yeses’, she says, when asked about goals. “That will allow me to say yes to future participants. This project can grow beyond its current reach, empowering more women to build livelihoods and strengthen their communities. I want to show the women that people are rooting for them.” 

Damari Kota Diur-Kota presented her work to the UN in New York City alongside the DMU delegation. Credit:  Damari Kota Diur-Kota

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