Graduates celebrate new skills at the Union of Jewish Women Empowerment Sewing School graduation
Skills, confidence, and new opportunities were created as graduates of the Union of Jewish Women Empowerment Sewing School celebrated their achievement.
Recently, students from the Union of Jewish Women (UJW) Empowerment Sewing School graduated from the course, after spending four and a half months on an intense journey, developing practical sewing skills in order to obtain employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The graduation ceremony, held at Oxford Shul in Riviera on June 18, was filled with joy, as graduates walked the runway showcasing what they made during their time in the school. Families also came out in force to support their loved ones.
Read more: Students celebrate graduation one stitch at a time
Ariane Heneck, UJW Empowerment Sewing School manager, said the course was designed to give people skills they can use to make a living.
“As they say, give a man a fishing rod. It’s the same thing. I’m giving them the tools. I’m empowering them.”
Students attended classes five days a week for the four and a half months, during which some operated a sewing machine for the first time, while others sharpened what they already knew.
Heneck said that the students brought them joy, and that the skills they have developed will take them far.
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Sewing instructor Nomvula Siduge said many students arrived with no experience, and had to learn everything from the very beginning.
“When they started, they didn’t know anything, from how to thread a machine to how to follow a pattern, but now they are very good.” Siduge mentioned that their progress throughout the programme has made her very proud.
Graduate Kolisile Ngali plans to empower his community by teaching sewing lessons. With his father previously being a tailor, he thought that this was the best way to keep his legacy alive.
“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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