Women sew for new mothers

New mothers at Murchison Hospital recently benefitted from the work of 20 women who completed a sewing course at St Margaret’s Anglican Church in Margate.

Through the Bowlers 4 Babies initiative headed by Wendy Walker, 20 kangaroo pouches and toiletry bags made by the students were donated to mothers at the hospital.

Also, Maria Hufner of Give a Child a Family accepted gypsy skirts made by the women.

Angela Ford of the Centre of Concern Sewing School said the students were taught how to use small pieces of material to make pretty garments such as the gypsy skirts.

She said the sewing school is a community outreach and skills development project of the church. A free two-year sewing course is offered, with classes held on a Thursday afternoon in the church hall.

“We enrol about 20 students a year, and the project undertakes to teach a basic sewing skill to unemployed men and women from the South Coast, many of whom are single parents and grandmothers who look after orphans. As we are faced with huge unemployment, there is an urgent need to teach basic skills; in this case, students are taught to make clothes and other household items for their families or for sale to the community,” said Ford.

She added that most first-year students had not used a sewing machine before; however, after a few lessons, they are making basic items they can use.

Ford explained that the sewing machines and materials for the projects are donated by the community.

She said they also receive generous sponsorship from the Hibiscus Rotary Club.

She said without the Rotary’s valuable assistance, they would be unable to offer the free classes.

“The sewing lessons are given by a team of hardworking volunteers every Thursday. The course runs from March to November. We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to assist us,” she said.

For more information on the project, contact 083 2356183 or 082 3921571.

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