By Carmelita G. Nuqui | Executive Director
The Development Action for Women Network (DAWN) continues to support women migrant returnees, survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking and members of their families.
In July 2025, Ms. Marife Patiño, DAWN Sikhay Coordinator, conducted skills training on sewing to women migrant returnees from Quezon City. They learned the basics of operating sewing machines, pattern-making and cutting. During the training, they learned how to make a conference bag, which may be used as tote bag or as accessory for everyday lifestyle.
“I always thought that sewing a bag is difficult,” said a migrant returnee trainee from Qatar, “It takes patience, but the effort is all worth it once you are able to see what you have made.” Another trainee from Kuwait remarked, “Learning how to sew opens up opportunities and possibilities to create new products such as clothing and other accessories. This will help me earn more through what I will produce.”
Through these skills trainings, DAWN is able to empower women and hone their passion for crafts. This provides them the opportunity to either create their own products at home or produce other bags and accessories at DAWN’s sewing and handloom weaving facilities. Along with DAWN’s therapeutic workshops that promotes their mental health and well-being, they are transformed from victims to survivors to advocates of their own issues and concerns.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
