Tailoring: A Small Business Skill for Afghan Women

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Learning to sew changes a woman’s life giving her independence, self-confidence and self-esteem as well as an income generating skill.

So far in 2023:  1,034 students have learning sewing at Herat centers and another 240 at Kabul centers.

Sewing is often the first class women take at a center. They gain confidence in themselves and their ability to learn from this class and go on to take classes in literacy, maths, Arabic and even English and computing.   Students often say how much learning means to them and how, before coming to the center ,they had never had educational opportunities.

One student said, " I did not know I could learn before this class. Now I can make clothes for my family and also for others which brings in money. I am now doing literacy class to help me at home and with my business. I want to help the children with their homework too."

Thank you for supporting Afghan women.

Weaving, tailoring and sewing skills are a lifeline for women giving them the opportunity to earn some money and contribute to the family income. Sewing classes remain very popular but some centers also offer, nut weaving, sewing with tiny mirrors, embroidery and carpet weaving. All of these are traditional Afghan crafts.  

September student numbers:

Herat: 1,245 sewing, 33 embroidery

Kabul: 283 sewing, 73 in handicrafts

Here are the comments of one student named Mena. “I am 54 years-old and I have 5 children. I suffered for a long time from lack of money and joblessness. When I found out that there is a learning center which provides services for free for all, I first enrolled my child in a computer class. I thought I could do something too and I enrolled myself in a weaving class. Luckily after only a few months I made great progress because of my hard work and the help from my teachers. Now, I can weave many things in traditional styles. I sell these things and earn money which helps my family. 

Thank you for supporting Afghan women.