The project will deliver a sustainable future for women's and disabled tailoring groups in two regions of Tanzania. It will provide refurbished sewing machines and deliver practical and business training to these groups. It will also identify and train regional networks of sewing machine mechanics who will maintain the machines ensuring sustainability into the future.
There are very many women tailoring groups in Tanzania who are currently struggling to make a living due to the unavailability of good quality sewing machines. The only machines available are poor quality imports from the Far East which are very expensive and unreliable. Many of the existing machines are also out of action due to the lack of skilled people to repair them.
We will supply quality reconditioned European/American models and train the recipients to conduct simple maintenance on them. We will also train to a high level a number of local artisans to become sewing machine mechanics. They will receive training at a centre in Mwanza which will last three weeks. Following completion they will be provided with all the tools they need to start up a repair business, together with a supply of spares.
We have seen from previous pilots that having a quality working machine can provide a good income for a woman and her family. It will enable them to send their children to school, access good quality health care and improve their lives. Trained disabled artisans will for the first time be able to earn a living without having to beg. It will improve their self esteem and their status within the community.
