One of the steady and effective projects that we run in communities is the sewing program. These courses have provided opportunities for women to learn new, marketable skills in tailoring, and to upskill them so they can start their own tailoring business.
Arbiya joined the Asian Aid-supported six-month vocational tailoring course in Bangalore. Her mother is a tailor and had her own little tailoring shop.
After joining this course, Arbiya aced it and even learned to stitch her own clothes. She developed great confidence and now sews clothes for others. Arbiya is now helping her mother in her tailoring shop, which has grown immensely! She helps her mom with cutting, stitching, and discussing with the customers new patterns and designs according to their needs. In addition to tailoring, she has also learned to make jewellery—bangles, earrings, doormats from recycled sarees, and aari work—from the hobby classes that Asian Aid sponsors. Arbiya says that learning all this has helped her be creative and motivates her to be the best. She says that because of the classes, she is now able to earn money and help her family financially.
Here is more information about this and similar projects.