Tailoring Workshop – Jicamarca
Project overview
The Loreto Sisters have worked and lived in Jicamarca, Peru for over 15 years. In partnership with the Jesuits and the local community, the Sisters established a primary and secondary school in the area. In 2005, a group of women approached the Sisters about the possibility of setting up a dressmaking workshop to give them the skills to gain employment. The Loreto Sisters listened and helped these women to establish their community driven goal; to access education in tailoring and gain prospects of employment. Particularly important to these women is the ability to be financially independent as domestic violence is prevalent.
This project will provide a 6-month basic sewing course and 1-year tailoring course to 20 women from Jicamarca and adjoining villages, enabling them to gain employment in factories and set up their own businesses. The women are given the opportunity to practice their skills and encouraged to support the sustainability of the program by producing professional quality, locally designed backpacks (bags) and other items.
A young mother whose life has been impacted: “I did not imagine that I would be here learning, achieving, and making jackets. I am happy and grateful to the Sisters for their help. I invite other women to attend so they can have the chance to be self-sufficient and not depend on others”.
Project objectives and activities
- Employ a teacher and coordinator for 12 months
- Offer courses in basic dressmaking, intermediate pattern making and design
- Training in the use of sewing machines
- Assist women to be financially independent.
- In the current environment of ‘no plastic bags’ the students make cloth backpacks for sale
- Initiating discussion and education about domestic violence, workplace health & safety, human trafficking and human rights
Recent project achievements
- The Tailoring Workshops have provided training to well over 100 women
- Women previously relied on their husbands for financial support. Surrounded by entrepreneurial women and their teacher, they have gained skills, confidence and independence. They now envision a future of owning their own tailoring business
- Most of the women now create custom pieces of clothing for the wider community
- The women produced backpacks and recently begun to produce a variety of bags, including reusable shopping bags
- The courses were promoted to encourage young mothers from Fey Alegria Mary Ward School to participate
- The project team have been working in collaboration with another NGO – Mujeres de Impacto. This NGO specialises in working with vulnerable migrant single mothers, from other provinces in Peru and whom are victims of domestic violence. The women are offered medical and emotional support and workshops in personal development
