Skills development at Compass Academy helps girls sew for the future
Compass Academy learners are embracing sewing, combining creativity with business skills to build future careers in design and fashion.
MOKOPANE – The Compass Academy of Learning (CAL) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping learners who cannot cope in regular schools to continue their education. One of their focus areas is skills development. Three girls at Revision have embraced sewing as part of their further training.
Elaine van Rensburg explains that the girls are not only taught how to sew, but also how to calculate costs, market their work, and make sales – empowering them to generate an income in the future.
Fifteen-year-old Katlego Tshelane says her passion started two years ago when she started sketching dresses.
“My mother asked me why I liked drawing dresses so much, and I told her with great excitement that it is my dream to one day become a fashion designer. To get experience, we started making and selling bags,” says Katlego, adding that she hopes to teach others how to sew one day. “It is stimulating and inspiring.”
Fourteen-year-old Tshepang Mochoeneng sees herself as an artist.
“When I finish school, I want to be a famous seamstress and singer. My dream is to design and make my own wedding dress. To other girls out there – if you want to do something you love, go for it. Don’t let others stand in your way. I can assure you, needlework is the best thing to do.”
The 13-year-old Dineo Teffo says she can’t wait to sit at the needlework table each morning. “I would really like to make a ballerina dress one day, and I would give my all to meet a real ballerina,” she says.
Dineo dreams of passing her skills down to her daughter one day, and even inviting her daughter’s friends to show them how fun it is to create something beautiful with your own hands.
