Nsimbini sewing project seeks help

A sewing project established by A Centre That Serves in Nsimbini in 2010 is reaping rewards for local women but it would ideally like to overcome challenges faced with limited working space.

The Igugu Labantu project teaches sewing skills to the women of Nsimbini in ward 94, so they are able to sustain themselves at home. “With the help of our partner ACTS, the dream has been fulfilled,” said project leader, Gcina Mtshali. “To date 56 women have been trained in sewing skills. We sew school uniforms for local schools to generate income to sustain the project.

We also provide a soup kitchen, where we serve porridge to children before they go to school. We are currently feeding about 1,500 children on a daily basis. To sustain this project, we plant vegetables in our garden to generate income. In February we plan to donate cosmetics and sanitary towels to 150 pupils in local schools.”

The good work Gcina and his team are doing in Nsimbini has not gone unrecognised. In 2013 the project won the eThekwini Mayor’s award for excellence in the community development category.

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Last year they received a three-by-13 metre converted shipping container from the Clairwood Rotary Club which is being used as a vocational training centre. Last August, 14 youths were trained and graduated in basic sewing and beadwork.

“The current challenges we face is our working space is too small but we have land which needs to be developed in order for us to build rooms for an office, kitchen and storeroom. The land measures about five-by-13 metres. We also need electricity installed in the container.” If you can help, call Gcina on 073-141-7085.

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