Sewing school in Margate empowers new graduates
The project aims to teach people how to sew clothes, sell the items and earn money.
Seventeen sewing students graduated from the St Margaret’s Anglican Church Centre of Concern Sewing School in Margate last Thursday.
As many of the graduates are unemployed, they can now either seek employment or start their own businesses.
Proud sewing teacher Angela Ford said the initiative is a community and skills development project of the church after it grew concerned about unemployment and poverty in society many years ago. The project aims to teach people how to sew clothes, sell the items and earn money.
“We offer a free two-year course. Classes are held every Thursday afternoon in the church hall. We are faced with a huge unemployment problem in our area, there is an urgent need to give basic skills. In this case, students are taught to make clothes and other household items for their families or for sale to the community.”
According to Ford, most of their first-year students had not previously used sewing machine, however, with a couple of lessons are able to make basic items.
“The sewing machines and materials are all from donations from various sponsors in our community. We also receive generous sponsorship from the Rotary Club of Hibiscus Coast in Margate. Without their valuable assistance, we would be unable to offer free classes including materials and threads as well as maintain and upgrade our sewing machines.”
Guest speaker Father Jacques Pieterse said it’s best when people tell their true stories. “Graduates you achieved those certificates because God has a purpose in your life. Ours is to stay close to God, Listen to Him and to know where He wants us to be. If we miss His message, He cannot turn our life around and bring good.”
He added that the lessons are given by a hardworking team of volunteers from March to November each year. “We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to assist us. All the best to our graduates, enjoy using your certificates to seek employment or start your own businesses.”
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