KwaThema – Rise and Shine Ekurhuleni is encouraging young and unemployed youth, especially women, to enrol for sewing lessons.
The initiative started last year in March by two elderly women in the area is aimed at fighting poverty by arming those in need with a skill.
Co-founder and seamstress Sarah Hlakuva, says they decided to join the government in fighting unemployment.
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“We didn’t have much but to share the skills we acquired through the years while working in the factories before they closed down.
“Matlalepula Nashifane and I worked for years as seamstresses in the factories, but when they closed down we decided to start our own businesses, designing garments for the community members.
“Working in the community daily, we were exposed to the extent of unemployment and decided to come up with ways to contribute towards the change.”
Hlakuva says they decided to register a non-profit organisation and invited unemployed women and youth from the informal settlements to join them.
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“To date, we have trained over 40 young people from the community three times a week in a five-week programme,” she adds.
Co-founder Matlalepula says those interested donate as little as R100, which goes towards buying the material.
“This is not much because the materials and everything they need are barely covered and we are often forced to dig deep into our own pockets to cover the costs.
“The facility has enough sewing machines, but most of them are broken and we cannot afford to fix them.
“A class of 10 students are forced to use only three sewing machines at a time, which delays the process of learning and teaching,” she says.
The centre is urging local business people to come forward to help them make the school a success.
“We will appreciate any form of donation we can get, either sewing materials, threads, someone who will offer to fix the sewing machines, even coffee for the learners during tea breaks,” she adds.
Those who are interested in making donations or helping in any other way can contact the founders on 011 999 7375.
