Sewing Project Impacts the Community

History of Sewing Initiative

In April of 2022, many ladies in the Murombedzi community expressed a desire to learn to sew. After presenting a class in hand sewing, the ladies requested more training. Several hand crank sewing machines and two electric machines were purchased, and classes in machine sewing were taught in the spring of 2023. Because of the interest, a teacher from the Murombedzi community was located and classes in sewing continued to be held. Four classes of ladies have gone through the sewing training as of January 2024.

Community ladies try on clothes created by Sewing Class trainee.

Impact of Sewing on the Community

On a visit to the sewing ladies in the fall of 2023, it was discovered that a few of the ladies now have sewing machines of their own and have begun to sew clothing which they are selling to families in the community. The money they have earned is now being used to help purchase food and other necessities for their families. One of the husbands said that since his wife began sewing his hunger has lessened.

Our hope is that, by learning to sew, these ladies will not only be able to help provide for their own families but will also be able to help to take care of the needs of orphans and other needy people in the community.

Business training classes will be held for the ladies who desire to start their own businesses using their sewing skills.

Meeting with the sewing ladies to evaluate the sewing program.

Need for a Training Center

Since April of 2022, the sewing classes have been held under the open-air roof of a church, in one of the homes at the Home of Hope, and under the gazebo at the Home. Because of the continued interest in sewing, it was decided to erect a training center where the machines and other supplies could be housed and where classes could be taught throughout the year. The training center will also be open for ladies who do not have their own sewing machines to be able to come and sew on their own.

The training center will also be available for training in other areas, such as carpentry, and will be available for church services and other meetings for the community.

Sewing class being held under the gazebo at Home of Hope