Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 14, 2006: Several former SSMC workers who were interested in sewing as a new trade were given the opportunity to gain the skill at a two week training course.
The workshop, which ran from May 29 to June 09 at the St. Paul's Community Centre, was facilitated by Ms. Kay Byron who was contracted by Caribbean Technical Consultant Services. The Ministry of Social Development is the leading implementation agency.
Mrs. Celia Christopher of the Department of Gender Affairs said that she had attended several sewing courses via her department, so she did have some experience and she had been closely assisting the facilitator. Mrs. Christopher said that she saw much potential in the former SSMC workers. She commended the effort that they put forth, particularly those who had never sewn before. The Gender Affairs Official said that when she saw the quality of the work of the participants, she wondered why they had not come forward before.
The following participants expressed pleasure with the course and its facilitator.
~~Adz:Right~~Judith Clarke said that she previously knew how to sew but had not known how to cut the material to size, using an individual's measurements. She also expressed pleasure with the facilitator's methods.
Josephine Wilkin agreed that the facilitator made the new skills easy to grasp and understand. She said certain teachers might instruct that two inches had to be added to the measurement before cutting, but not Ms. Byron. Ms. Wilkin said that the facilitator explains what each inch is for, so that when you have to measure two inches, you know what each represents.
Mary Gordon said she enjoyed the training a great deal while De-anne Harris said that she is learning how to make tunics and pants. She said knowing how to sew pants would be particularly helpful as she has school-aged male children.
Ketura Williams said that she would do her best to make school uniforms to sell to parents of children in the community.
Ms. Christopher explained that the participants are being encouraged to become self sufficient. She said that once Ms. Byron had completed the course and finished her evaluation, the participants with business potential would be identified for the second phase. This would involve assisting the selected individuals with creating their own businesses inclusive of marketing their product. Ms. Christopher said this would help them to tap into the uniform-making industry.
The sewing machines being used during the workshop are the property of the Ministry of Social Development's Teen Mothers' Programme and were donated by the Canada Fund.
