Economic Growth Sierra Leone Project #2503

Provide Vital Skills and Vocational Training

by Develop Africa, Inc.

Project Report | Mar 10, 2014
Belts and Caps For Change - Super Heart-Warming

By Sylvester Renner | Project Leader

Belts and hat

Do you know what is super heart-warming? When you see people give out their need?

This is exactly what the ladies at the Tailoring school at Develop Africa Empowerment and Training Institute have done. Last year, they embarked on a Caps and Belts Project. The ladies at the institute sewed 200 caps and 200 belts to raise funds to feed less privileged children within the community and also to teach children and youth ‘Anger Management’ and a passion for living a dignified life. You can see photos of some of the belts and caps included in this report and also here - The caps and belts were made using a Kente-style design.

Last Saturday, March 8th, was International Women's day - and we are delighted that you are supporting women in Africa. Through your support, 6 ladies at our institute graduated in December. There are currently 18 trainees and 2 tutors. YOUR support makes it possible for us to provide the on-going training that they need. Through your support, we are able to pay the tutors and purchase the sewing supplies that they use on a daily basis.

What do you think of the venture? Do you like the belts and hats? We would love to hear you thoughts. Feel free to send us an email or post a comment on album with the photos on our Facebook page here.

It's also super heart-warming when YOU give towards this project. We trust that you feel good inside when you make a gift - helping to bring real change. We deeply appreciate your support. It warms our hearts and means so much to us.

In honor of International Women's Day - we invite you to give a gift of $25 that will help us continue to provide this training. Join us in celebrating women worldwide and continuing to empower them. Thanks so much for your support!

Ladies with belts and hats

youths with belts and hats

Kids too - with belts and caps

close-up view of belt

close-up view of hat

Links:

Photo of belts and caps make by ladies in tailoring school

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Oct 8, 2013
Exam Day - The Proof of Learning is in The Sewing - Thanks For Your Support

By Sylvester Renner | President and Project Leader

learning steadily...

Every 3 months, the ladies at the Tailoring School, that we support together, take a practical exam. During this exam, they are asked to sew a specific, varying style that appropriately tests their skills.

This time around, the trainees were asked to sew sleeveless outfit with draw thread. In the photos, 8 of them are wearing what they sewed during the exam. Two of them are wearing a traditional style called "Tontohlah" (L-R 3rd and fourth standing). They ladies were so excited when they were doing the exams as this was just before a special holiday in Sierra Leone. They knew they would be able to use the outfits sewn on the special holiday.

The proof of learning is in the sewing! As you can see the ladies excelled with beautiful styles sewn from the colorful local cotton fabric.

The ladies extend their enthusiastic thanks to you - as you help support their training. Your donations help to pay staff salaries and provide training materials such as cloth, thread, coal for the coal iron etc. YOUR support provides the essential, foundational support - without which the ladies would not receive the training.

Thanks for being there and making a difference!

As the school forges ahead, we have been facing constraints and we need your help. Joshua, the Director of the school, has reported that the several of the sewing machines need repairs. We also need additional machines to sew other styles especially planting / designing / embroidery.

We need to do the sewing machine repairs in the next month or so. Your donation of $50 today would take care of these repairs. Can you make your best donation today towards this? We would also love to purchase 2 new machines. Can you help provide 1 Professional Singer machine? Your donation of $650 will make this happen. This would make the ladies jump for joy!

Thanks for bringing cheer and joy!

Tailoring Trainee

group photo with items sewn

Links:

See more photos of the tailoring ladies

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Apr 29, 2013
On The Runway - Well Almost - Trainees Show Styles Sewn

By Sylvester Renner | Project Leader

happy trainees demos dress

It's with joy that we share another report with photos where trainees show off a number of the styles that they have sewn. The completed dresses / outfits demonstrate that they have been successful in learning and applying skills. This is true evidence of progress! You can see the happiness and looks of accomplishment in their faces.

View sewing styles display - completed items

The ladies are very excited about the skills they are developing. People within the community have started given trainees small sewing contracts. These sewing jobs are helping them to raise money to meet some domestic needs. This is excellent and they are already reaping the benefits

You helped make this happen and we are deeply grateful to you for your kind support. YOU are helping to bring about skill development and true progress. What better feeling than that of helping someone improve them self and learn a livelihood! The support that we have been providing is helping to compensate the four tutors and provide the training materials / equipment needed.

Your support has made the difference and exception for these women. You shared love through your donation. You made this happen! Thanks so much for helping to bring a brighter future to these deserving ladies!

We welcome your on-going support that will support further training. We would like to purchase a Singer professional machine costing $650. This will aid the ladies in further improving their skills. Could you help us purchase this by making a special donation today of $25.00 or more? The ladies will be thrilled and so appreciative. Thanks for your support!

Group of trainees holding completed items

On the runway - well ... almost

Yes - all by myself!

Links:

View sewing styles display - completed items

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Organization Information

Develop Africa, Inc.

Location: Johnson City, Tennessee - USA
Website: http://www.developafrica.org
Facebook: Facebook Page
X / Twitter: Profile

Project Leader:
Sylvester Renner
President, Develop Africa
Johnson City , Tennessee United States

Funded Project!

Thanks to 63 donors like you, a total of $6,194 was raised for this project on GlobalGiving. Combined with other sources of funding, this project raised enough money to fund the outlined activities and is no longer accepting donations.