Women get sewing training

By Sapeer Mayron 17 October 2018, 12:00AM

Unemployed women from Afega, Magiagi, Safotu and other villages are gathering this morning for the official opening of their three-week training in creative crafts and sewing skills at the Moanalisa Hotel.

After a successful programme last year, the government of China has invested $1.2 million into a Training Course on Creative Crafts and Sewing Skills.

The course reaches 20 women in each of the five villages taking part, and they each receive a sewing machine to learn on, food during the training course and an allowance of T$10 per day. 

China has sent six teachers and five interpreters to train the women to use electric sewing machines and pedal sewing machines, and will focus on cutting and sewing clothes for all ages and people, and even how to package clothes for sale.

At a ceremony in Afega earlier this month, Chinese Ambassador Wang Xuefeng said the aim was to train women to enable them to generate income from their new skillset.

“We want to offer assistance that is close to the life of ordinary people in Samoa,” he said. “For the ladies to make dresses, and make some money, that is a good thing.”

The women who will receive training will also learn how to repair their machines if necessary and will eventually go on to share their learning with other women in their home villages.

By Sapeer Mayron 17 October 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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