AIL's Sewing Class Needs Four New Sewing Machines

Dear Friends, 

Thank you so much for your support of our microprojects. During the holiday season, generous donors like you helped to fund the purchase of 25 sewing machines!! The response was far more generous than we ever anticipated, and we are so thankful to have these machines.

The 25 machines were split between two of the Afghan Institute of Learning’s (AIL) centers. Eighteen went to one center in Herat Province, and will allow the 233 sewing students to learn their craft of sewing machines that are in good working order. Seven machines went to another center in Herat Province and will allow an additional 196 students to continue learning to sew. 

These sewing courses are changing the lives of the Afghan women to take part in them. Take this young woman for example:

 My sister was getting married, so I went to a sewing shop to order clothing for the wedding and I saw my old friend there. I asked her what she was doing in the shop, and I was so surprised when she told me she was the owner of the shop! I couldn’t believe it. During our conversation she told me that she had taken sewing classes in an AIL center. I was encouraged by her story and decided to take the classes myself. A few days later, I came to the learning center and started classes. Now I am able to design and sew clothing. I sew for myself, my family and my friends. I am planning to start my own business, the same as my old friend. I thank AIL and kind teachers for teaching me this profession, which is allowing me to earn money and help pay for my family’s expenses. 

The sewing machines that you helped to purchase are helping women to support their families and gain independence. These sewing machines may seem like a very simple thing, but they are helping women to change their lives. Thank you for seeing the value in our project, and for your support!!