The school principal has said she will try to raise funds to secure at least 2 more sewing machines if we can secure the first three!
Sustainability through Sewing in El Salvador
Submitted by Addie B on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:49
the problem:
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, just south of Guatemala. Like many Latin American developing countries they have a large income gap, poorly funded schools, and little job availability. In Yamabal, my small pueblo, the main sources of income are farming and cows. Our high school has less than 100 students who come from the smaller villages that surround the town.
I am focusing on students in the individual family. Food, clothing, and shelter are the most essential parts of living especially in a developing country. That said, sewing is a lost art in many parts of the world but in some places it matters more than others. This class would provide the foundation for how to clothe their own families for generations to come. The class will aim to teach how to sew clothes, manage a sewing budget, support their families clothing needs, and manage a business.
The project aims to elevate youth into responsibility within the family. Clothing is a big responsibility and can endow very useful skills to any young person.
vital stats:
people impacted:
40people involved:
20why it's important:
I am the local Peace Corps volunteer. I am always listening and looking for needs in the community. Not only was I approached by a very well respected community member about the possibility of this workshop but I also can plainly see the need for it. Many families struggle to find suitable clothing to clothe their children in. Many times they have to buy the cheapest thing they can find in the market which only last a few washes in the river before it becomes another worn out shirt.
My project is different because you can definitely say that once you are able to sew the possibilities are endless in terms of sustainability. You can open a business, sew men's clothes, sew women's clothes, children's clothes, and all will reach the end result of helping the family. I think people forget the “clothing” part of basic needs. This project can reach more people without doing something like a clothes drive. Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime. That is my ultimate goal and that is what I think is possible through this class.
the plan of action:
I would propose to the youth committee, young women and men, to hold a workshop on how to teach their new skill to others. This project is specifically possible for youth because they are the up and coming generation in their families. They will need to be the cornerstone of the family in some way. That can be either selling their skill as a tailor or seamstress to bring money into the family or clothing the young and old in the family. There is also the possibility to train a younger member of their family to keep the trade going.
I have sought the help of the local mayor and the high school director to help me create the youth committee and locate resources necessary to implement the project.We are asking for sewing machines in this grant but materials such a thread, needles, measuring tape, garment paper, fabric, scissors, etc will all have to be donated/found in other areas.
We would first start buy training a group of students in the high school. Next, the youth committee would brainstorm ways to hold workshops in some of the outer-lying villages. This way the students are first students, and then teachers...sustainability then leadership in the community.
how you can get involved:
n/aproject updates:
10/27/2009
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Comments
I'm inspired by this project!! Sometimes the best solutions are so simple. This is a great project to get people in the community active in something readily identifiable: an important skill is being learned, results can be immediately seen by those involved, and all this contributes to buy-in for the Peace Corp and future helpful projects. All around, a great idea!
Creating life skills and sustainability - love it!
buen trabajo chica y que buena idea.
adam
Very commendable and a great idea! Can you email me a 'wish list' of what exactly you want? How much is a sewing machine? What kind? I'd like to contribute!! Take care and good luck!
charlotte