Tailoring: A Small-Business Skill for Afghan Women

During 2011, 1719 women were instructed in sewing through the learning centers of the Afghan Institute of Learning.  That means that 1719 women are better equipped to become independent and/or financially assist their families.  Many of these women open their own businesses, while others sew from their homes and provide clothing for their own families and members of their community for a small fee.  Still others go to work for large businesses that require their skill level.

AIL is continuing to teach women tailoring as a skill that they can learn quickly and immediately improve their circumstances.  As these women graduate from the program, they set up businesses in their own homes sewing clothing for other people in their community.  Sabra* had this to say:

"I am a house wife the same as the other women in Darqara village a part of Enjil district, Herat. I am 28 years old and I am the mother of three children.

Once I heard the neighbors talking about a new established learning center which provides services such as: literacy, Arabic, and sewing for those women who are house wife and uneducated with a very less payment and even they enroll the poor in the course without any payment. I consulted with my husband and shared the issue with him; he told if this center is only for women you can go and learn sewing.

I went to the learning center and based on the information I got from the office knew that this center is only for women and girls. I registered myself in the sewing course and, as a result of my efforts and the teachers’ efforts, I could learn this profession within eight months.

Now in Darqaraa village I am busy with this profession and solve my family and neighbors’ problems. I live in a good economic situation and help my husband with the house expanses. I keep praying for this foundation and the teachers which saved me from joblessness."

Another AIL Project, “Transform Lives of 70,000 Afghan Adolescent Girls” has been chosen to be part of the Girl Effect Challenge, which runs from October 15 through November 15, 2011.  Approximately 60 projects have been included in this challenge.  The top six projects with the highest number of unique donations will become part of the Girl Effect Fund for one year and each is expected to earn an additional $25,000.  Please check out our project #8791, and thank you for your generous support of our programs!

A Story from one student at the Yacoobi Foundation Women’s Learning Center (WLC):

 Farishta, one of the students of Yacoobi Foundation WLC, relates the impact of AIL’s programs on her village and family:  “One year ago I was illiterate like other women of Afghanistan. I was in my house without any fun and studying and I didn’t have any job and was in a poor economic situation. I came to the AIL Yacoobi Foundation center and I learned to be a tailor.  Now I can sew my family’s clothes and the clothes of others in the village.   I earn 2000 Afghanis per month. Now I can buy things for my children. I know that AIL works very effectively.”