The concept for this pilot project was to train tailors in their own community rather than bringing them to a residential centre. An accredited trainer was appointed to train four people, two per six months This project started in October 2009 and was visited in November by Global Concerns, so training was only in its third week. The two trainees had been chosen from six applicants, 4 men and 2 women. The selection process required a minimum education to grade 8, (end of Primary school), to show commitment to becoming independent after training, and that the type of disability would not hinder this kind of work. One man and one woman were selected.
The Trainees
Kamfosi Banda (male) aged 22 years, walks 8 km each way to central Dowa town for this training 5 days per week. He is married with one child. Previously he was a casual day labourer earning 200mk per day (£0.80). The loss of this income is a sacrifice made to gain this training in an attempt to better his situation. His wife is a farmer on a small garden plot. He has a handicap in his left hand from polio.
Agartha Kadzandira (female) aged 23 years, walks 3 km each way despite one leg weakened by polio. She is a single mother with one child. The child is looked after by the mother.
The training was taking place in a small hut in the town centre near a large store. It was small and cramped with the three treadle sewing machines. The trainer would be happy to accommodate more trainees – with an extension to his small training room. This is now under consideration for the second training period.
For more photographs (link to gallery)
Tailoring Trainer – Mr Mphatso Mdima and his small tailoring school
We were shown some of the initial work of the trainees which was a skirt and a top, the latter still in progress. We were also shown their exercise books which contained samples of their sewing with marks out of ten. The trainer explained to us the reasons for the high and low marks for particular exercises – it took a trained eye to see the faults!