Seamstresses graduate
The sewing school is looking for volunteers to teach the students as all classes are given by a team of volunteers.
It was a joyous occasion at St Margaret’s Anglican Church’s Centre of Concern Sewing School in Margate as 22 seamstresses were awarded course completion certificates.
Eleven were first-year students who had passed a 12-month course, and will return next year to start their second year. A further 11 second-year students graduated after completing the full course.
Pat Moore, the founding member of the school said she was super proud of the women for achieving good results.
She said the school is a community outreach and skills development project of the church that offers a free two-year course for which classes are held once a week.
“The classes are held on a Thursday afternoon at the church hall and 10 to 12 students are enrolled each year. The course teaches basic sewing skills to unemployed and underprivileged men and women from the South Coast. Many are single parents or grannies looking after orphaned children, “Moore explained.
She said as the country is faced with huge unemployment, there is an urgent need to offer basic skills, in this case, the students are taught to make clothes and other household items for their families or to sell to the community.
“Most of our first-year students have not used a sewing machine before and within a couple of lessons are making basic items to use. The sewing machines and materials are donations from various community members. We also receive generous support from the Hibiscus Rotary Club and without this valuable assistance, we would be unable to offer the free classes.
Moore said they are seeking volunteers to teach the students as all classes are given by a team of volunteers.
Pastor Alan Williams, a guest speaker encouraged the students to use their skills wisely and to work in groups when starting businesses.
He said the skills that they have acquired should be used to put food on the table, and be passed on to the next generation.
Anyone wishing to support the sewing school whether with materials or voluntary services can contact Pat Moore on 039 312 5334 or 083 2356183 or Angela Ford on 039 6821571 or 082 3921571.
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