Wendywood Sewing Sisters empower the local community

Premi Roopanand and Nthabiseng Tom are sewing stitches of upliftment in their local community through their sewing school at the Wendywood Municipal Clinic.

The Sisters Sewing Project began 10 years ago when retired dressmaker Roopanand moved to Kelvin with the idea of sharing her sewing knowledge with those around her.

She applied through the clinic to have premises built by the Department of Health and sewing machines and tables were donated by the Gambling Board and woodcutters.

“I had just arrived here from Durban and visited the clinic. I was lonely and now a pensioner with not much to do. I thought I’d share my knowledge and help people in need to supplement their income using their sewing skills,” said Roopanand.

The news of the project spread by word of mouth and pensioners, domestic workers, patients and professionals of all ages came to join the classes.

“Some people didn’t know how to thread a needle but they are now selling church dresses, school uniforms and traditional clothing to their communities,” she added.

Roopanand estimates that over 1 000 people have been through the sewing programme since its inception.

Tom visited the Wendywood Clinic one day with health issues and was introduced to Roopanand, who approached her to assist with the sewing project.

“This is a place for me to de-stress and get out of Kelvin, where there is a lot of crime. It also functions as a support group where I can counsel ladies and we can all share our problems and relax,” said Tom.

Clinic manager, Tshiwela Marageni said she was unsure about Roopanand’s initial idea but was pleasantly surprised by the end product. “People come to the clinic and they are stressed because they don’t have work. I refer them to the Sisters Sewing Project and they become energetic and now only visit the clinic to show me what they have made. The project empowers the community,” said Marageni.

Millicent Moloko said she started at the sewing school in 2016. “I had never used a sewing machine before and now I can make dresses for my family. I made my mother a beautiful dress for her birthday and it fitted like a glove. I am a pensioner and enjoy sewing on the side and have recommended the project to my friends.”

Roopanand said the project has given her a sense of purpose. “It feels so good when someone comes and says ‘thank-you’.”

Amongst other awards, the Sisters Sewing Project has been recognised by the Gauteng office of the Premier at the Khanyisa Service Excellence Awards for an excellent community development initiative.

Details: Classes take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon and there is an additional afternoon class on a Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.

People are expected to pay a small fee to cover haberdashery costs for the lessons. To find out more, call Premi on 072 750 0375.