Union of Jewish Women celebrate 8 graduates of the Sewing Empowerment School
PARKTOWN – Eight women celebrated their graduation from the Sewing Empowerment School where they learned to sew a variety of different items.
The Union of Jewish Women (UJW) celebrated the graduation of eight women from its four-month Sewing Empowerment School on 8 June.
The graduation ceremony, which was held at the Beit Manuel Synagogue in Parktown, celebrated the achievements of the women and their dedication to learning.
The school began five years ago in Alexandra in a bid to empower women in the community and provide them with valuable skills. Cindy Kree, the executive director of the union said, “Our idea was to create a community centre to empower people and give all sorts of skills.”
All of the women who joined the sewing school were complete beginners. During the course they learned how to use a sewing machine, design their own clothing and make skirts, dresses, bags and pillowcases, among other things.
During the graduation ceremony each woman had the opportunity to model the outfit they had designed and made, as well as show off some of their creations including aprons and cosmetic bags.
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The sewing school has suffered a few setbacks but that has not stopped it from continuing. The school originally had sewing machines donated by Bidvest but they were stolen. However, Kree said that the community donated second-hand sewing machines and all the material used had been donated by various people and companies.
Thandeka Mungwe, the teacher at the sewing school was a student at the first school five years ago. “I feel emotional sometimes thinking about it because I’m so proud and I see how well they do and I know they look at how I represent myself.”
The next batch of students will begin the course in the next few weeks.
