Tailoring: A Small Business Skill for Afghan Women

The sewing and tailoring classes at AIL’s Learning Centers are continuing to be one of the most popular skills training courses. During the first 6 months of 2010, there were 1372 students studying tailoring.

Here is a story from one of the sewing students at the Sar Asia learning center: “I was born in an illiterate family. My family didn’t want me to study until I came here. I hope that one day I will become a good tailor in my society for the servicing of my people. Afghanistan women, as you know, are suffering many pains right to have the need to help. I think I should work hard in my society because my country needs to reconstruct. Thanks for AIL who help the people of my village.”

Another women shares: “My name is Fawzia. I live a very hard life and I am not able to pay a fee. My father is disabled and is at home. One day, when I went to our neighbor’s house to work and to earn bread for my family, I saw their daughters learning sewing. I asked them where they learned sewing. They said at the AIL Nasir Khisraw center. They said that they were graduated from the sewing class and had their certificates. That is why they were able to sew at home to find money and to help their family.

“When I heard this, I wanted to go to this center and learn sewing. Now it has been 5 months that I came and learned sewing in this center. I can sew and no one needs to help me. I want to thank the AIL Office to help us (poor people) for opening such centers to learn, and then help ourselves and our families. I wish this organization success after success.”