Sewing school imparts skills, fends off hunger
Since its inception in 2010, the Union of Jewish Women's Sewing Empowerment School has produced numerous seamstresses in the township, some of whom have gone on to find jobs in the clothing industry while others struck it out on their own and are able to provide for their families.
From not knowing how to switch on a sewing machine to designing outfits fit for a red carpet event.
This is the story of Alex women who just completed and graduated from a sewing school project run by the Union of Jewish Women.
Known as the Sewing Empowerment School based at the premises of the union, the women graduated after completing an intensive four-month course.
Ariane Heneck, manager of the school, congratulated the students whom she said came to the class without an inkling of how to switch on a sewing machine.
“We had to start them from scratch and in the four months they have been here for the duration of the course, we have taught a number of things and now they have finally designed their own outfits which can beat many on the red carpet,” she said.
The union established the sewing school in 2010 with the aim of contributing towards alleviating one of South Africa’s most pressing problems – skills development and poverty.
“Since then, the school has seen more than 80 students come through its doors with smiles on their faces as they have managed not only to acquire a skill but have fended off hunger as they are able to use the skills to provide for their families,” Heneck added.
She said some of the graduates of the school have since found employment in the clothing industry and others were working for themselves.
A dedicated and talented teacher, Chido Tsodzo, guided the students through the programme with patience and care, neither Covid-19 the biting cold nor load shedding could stop her and her students.
Heneck thanked their donors who make this all happen through their donations of sewing machines, fabrics and haberdashery.
The sewing production team consists of three qualified seamstresses who were past students of the sewing school.
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