Tailoring School

Growing from willing volunteers to professional tailoring trainers, Racheal Madanitsa, Loyce Masuku and Khazata Kabowa are great examples of the personal transformation that is being achieved at BeeTailoring. These eloquent young women met at St James Catholic Church and are all married with young families who rely on the income they earn. Their journey began in July 2008, when they volunteered at the church with other local, unemployed women, to learn how to sew informally. ‘We started sewing with needles. By then we had no machines, ‘Loyce says. ‘But in October, almost 200 sewing machines were donated by Krizevac Project. After six months, we each received an electric sewing machine, which we have at home’. ‘Some of the women stayed at home, sewing, but others came back to learn more,’ Khataza says. ‘After one year we had a certificate in tailoring and designing.’ Rachael adds, ‘In 2009, after six more months of training, we had a Diploma inTailoring and Design.’ ‘We were the best students,’ Khataza beams, and the other two women nod, smiling. ‘At first we were volunteers, just receiving a free meal. Now we are training almost sixty students,’ Racheal says proudly. ‘My specialist subject is designing and cutting.’ Loyce says, ‘I am best at technology. I go first and teach the theory, then Khataza teaches the practical.’ ‘I’m able to help my grandmother, and my husband now,’ says Khataza. ‘I feel very important…and more respected,’ adds Loyce. ‘Thanks to Beehive, I can help my husband pay the bills at home, which at first I was unable to do. His friends used to ask him why he didn’t send me to the city to do a proper job. Now he is so proud of me.’ ‘At first when we were volunteers, people were laughing at us, because we were coming here without being paid,’ Rachel remembers. ‘Now they come here to learn from us,’ Khataza grins.’ They say:”Look, you are employed now”.’ There is something good which has happened here,’ Loyce smiles. ‘Beehive has changed our lives.’