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| Sewing is a very popular
activity with everyone from 8 to 80 at the East African Women’s
Center. Originally, sewing was a strategy to entice
women out of isolation. It worked! The surprise was that the
educational results of sewing classes were far more significant
than we could have imagined. Women’s English language
skills began improving because they were actively engaged
in what they were doing and they had a safe space to practice
their speaking skills. They learned to follow oral directions
and some are now able to follow written directions as well.
Women’s hand/eye coordination improved and their self-confidence
grew. They are even improving work-related skills like being
on time, time management, and awareness of standards of quality.
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Since
most of the women who come to the Center speak limited English and
have never sewed before, sewing classes—with five students
each—generally have two teachers. |
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The women love the program and the only
complaint is that there isn’t even more time to sew. Our
dream eventually is to expand the sewing/weaving area and make
the new space available to experienced sewers on evenings and
weekends.
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| This fall
and winter, both beginning and intermediate sewing classes will
be taught at the Center. There will also be some “open sewing"
periods for more advanced sewers to come in and work on their projects
as well as do mending for their families. |
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Many of the sewers
have joined the East African Women’s Textile Cooperative.
Right now, they are beginning to sew items for a local fundraising
event, the Pohlad Foundations’ Twice
the Gift. |
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Women are eager
to learn to sew, and come to sew every chance they get. It is a
useful skill to learn and a chance to socialize with friends. |
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Sewing teachers,
Faduma and Sigrid, work together to plan and teach Center sewing
classes. |
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2005-2009
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