Students celebrate graduation one stitch at a time
After four and a half months of training, graduates of the UJW Empowerment Sewing School are about to turn their new skills into employment, entrepreneurship and community empowerment.
Family and friends of students gathered to celebrate the completion of a four and a half month sewing programme at the Union of Jewish Women (UJW) Empowerment Sewing School on June 18.
The programme helped students gain practical skills that could lead to employment and entrepreneurship.
The graduates were acknowledged at a ceremony held at Oxford Shul in Riviera, with the theme being Heritage in Style.
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Ariane Heneck, UJW Empowerment Sewing School manager, said the programme exists to provide unemployed people with skills that can help them put food on the table and take care of themselves and their families.
“As they say, give a man a fishing rod. It’s the same thing. I’m giving them the tools. I’m empowering them,” she said.
She added that seeing the students’ progress during the programme is one of the most amazing parts of her work.
“They all bring us joy. It’s very special because now at least I can really do something which will take them further,” she said.
Their teacher, Nomvula Siduge, said when the students arrived, most of them had little to no sewing experience.
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“It was not easy; they were scared of the machine at first.”
She explained that the students had to learn reading patterns, threading and following instructions as part of their journey in the sewing school.
“When they started, they didn’t know anything, but now they are very good. I’m very proud of them.”
Among the graduates was Kolisile Ngali from Soweto, who joined the programme after hearing some people talk about it at the train station.
His father was a tailor, so joining the programme made him feel like he was keeping his legacy alive.
Ngali said he will be using his skills to teach people in his community so that they can acquire the same skills and make a living for themselves.
“I’m excited because I want to take this knowledge further. I’m going to teach other people so that we don’t just sit and do nothing in the township.”
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