Fund Sewing Skills for Women in South Africa

South Africa faces high unemployment among women, especially in underserved communities like ours. Without access to skills training or mentorship, many are unable to find jobs or support their families. The cycle of poverty and inequality continues without long-term solutions rooted in empowerment

We offer classes in sewing, patternmaking, and basic business management. With access to equipment and mentorship, women learn to create and sell garments, becoming entrepreneurs or securing work.

Providing a mass skillshare program and startup loans and support to women this project is tackling the poverty cycle as well as gender inequality in the community as more women become successful in business.

A donation of $50 provides the fabric for one student for a 6 week training course.

Hello to our wonderful community of supporters,

I’m reaching out with an update that I am incredibly excited to share. As we hit our 20-year milestone at Action Change in 2026, we’ve been looking at how to make our impact even more permanent. While the local landscape for donated materials has shifted recently, it has actually given us the perfect nudge to launch a massive, game-changing plan we’ve been dreaming about for a while.

We are officially moving toward a fully sustainable, circular business model!

Instead of just running a training school, we are working with our talented graduate alumni to set up our very own Non-Profit business. The goal is simple but powerful: our graduates get to work for a living wage, and 100% of the profits will go directly back into funding the training for the next group of women. By 2027, we want this program to be completely self-sufficient. It’s about moving from "training" to "thriving."

To get this engine started, we have some big goals for this year. We are looking to purchase an industrial embroidery machine and a printing machine so our women can start producing at scale. We’ve already identified a huge need in the community for:

• 300-400 handmade school uniforms for local students.

• Sports kits, church group uniforms, and corporate wear for local businesses.

• Tourist-ready items for markets and potentially our own stall at the famous V&A Waterfront in Cape Town!

We’re even planning "Sip n Sew" parties and children’s craft sessions to bring the community into the heart of what we do. Every single cent raised helps us buy the equipment and fabric needed to kick-start this business initiative.

This is where our upcoming "Little by Little" campaign fits perfectly into the plan.

From March 17th to the 20th, GlobalGiving is matching all donations up to $50 at 50%. Since we are in an urgent sprint to get this equipment purchased and the business off the ground, this timing is incredible.

• Your $50 donation becomes $75 during this week.

• That extra $25 helps us buy the high-quality threads, needles, and fabric rolls we need to start our first big uniform order.

If you’ve been with us for a while, you know we love finding solutions that last. This isn't just a donation; it’s an investment in a business that will eventually fund its own mission.

Please save the date for March 17th. Together, we can help these women build a future where they aren't just graduates, but the owners of their own success.

Thank you for being part of this 20-year journey!