Tailoring: A Small Business Skill for Afghan Women

Dear Friends,

Sewing is a skill for life. One of AIL’s goals is to equip people with skills they will need and use for life such as literacy and math. Sewing gives women the opportunity of independence and takes pressure off household finances.

In 2015, there were 3,568 women in sewing classes at the 43 Learning Centers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition, AIL had crochet classes for 372 women and another 60 women learned how to do embroidery.

Sarah who lives at the Girls Orphanage and attends the Learning Center located there had this to say. “I am one of the students of the sewing class. I was six years old when I was brought here because my father died so my mother had to give me to the orphanage. Every student here feels the lack of the kindness and love of a father and mother at first, but soon after time passes you become relaxed and continued living in the orphanage. Dr. Yacoobi has educational classes here  so I attended the sewing class. At first, I knew nothing about sewing and as our teacher was encouraging me, I learned all the rules of sewing. Now I can sew everything for my roommate, friends and myself and after graduating from the orphanage I will be an independent person and able to pay my expenses and help other orphan girls in the community. During these last two years I have changed a lot. I learned to be responsible about my life affairs and study hard to live in comfort.” 

Please read the attached CHI 2015 Newsletter featuring AIL for information on activities last year.Thank you for your support.

• CHI_Newsletter_2015.pdf (PDF)