Tailoring: A Small Business Skill for Afghan Women

Dear Friends,

One of AIL’s newest Learning Centers is inside a women’s prison in Afghanistan. The teachers are working with the women to encourage them to gain skills and knowledge that will help them to provide for their families after they leave the prison, including teaching them to sew and tailor clothing. One of the students said the following,

“I’m a student in the sewing class at the women’s jail. Because of a mistake I made a year ago, they put me in jail. I thought that it would be the worst place in the world, so difficult and disappointing. I was not getting out for a long time, and I had no skills. During the first two or three months after coming to the prison, I was so depressed and several times I decided to commit suicide, and then one day I found out about the sewing class being taught by AIL. When I started coming to the class, I didn’t expect much from it and I wasn’t very interested, but I kept attending. After a month I realized that I had learned some skills and became interested and hopeful. I saw that having this skill could change my future and after a while I learned to sew well. I am still working very hard and learning new things. I am seriously considering making a living by sewing after I get out of  prison, which is soon. I would like to thank AIL. Thank you very much for giving me such a chance. I can’t imagine what my life might be like without this. AIL rescued me.”

For many Afghan women, learning to sew gives them a new chance at life, and the opportunity to support their families. We are so grateful to you for supporting our efforts!!