Our sewing enterprise programme develops the sewing skills of participants to make all kinds of fabric-related items for resale.
We support students to begin selling their work as soon as possible. We also offer workplace and entrepreneurial skills training course to empower those in the group to secure work or run their own business.
For those who want to further improve their prospects and skills to find work, there is the opportunity to sign up for Job Journey
Our students benefit from:
Back in 2017, ten sewing machines and several yards of fabric were donated to a group of women in Tambo Village, Cape Town. That original donation sparked a flourishing social enterprise.
A source of income, community and fellowship, this predominantly female group with multiple dependents develop their sewing skills to produce items for resale in a nurturing environment.
NewDay’s Sewing Enterprise group offers:
Since its fledgling beginnings, more than 100 people of all ages and abilities having joined the programme from across the community.
The group has grown from 8 ladies, to a comprehensive programme training up to 24 people a week with double the number of sewing machines!
Students who join the programme receive training in sewing skills and bespoke mentoring tailored to specific needs and interests. To support participants in finding work and / or developing viable businesses, we also provide training in financial management, access to coaching and mentoring in entrepreneurship skills, as well as the opportunity to sign up to our Job Journey course.
NewDay provides all training, coaching and materials free of charge.
The whole focus of the sewing enterprise is to build skills, confidence, experience and connections so that our students can support themselves and their families for the long term.
The training and mentoring we provide focuses on the production of items that will sell commercially. We include training in managing the financial aspects of a business and wider skills of how to establish and grow a sustainable business.
Some of those in the group are successful in securing work or starting their own business before completing the programme – a testament to the skills they have learned in a short space of time!
As with other programmes, our team of trainers is gradually growing as some of those who have benefitted from the programme return to offer support and share skills with new joiners.
This programme is already achieving a great deal, but there are significant opportunities for us to increase our impact. We are reliant on our generous supporters around the world for the finance required to run and expand the programme.
Please consider becoming a regular supporter of NewDay to contribute to this and other vital programmes.
Alternatively you can make a direct contribution now by purchasing items for our team in the online shop …
Meet the latest graduates from our Sewing Enterprise with some of their latest creations!
This group of ladies have been through our sewing programme, learning new skills to create items they can sell and to help build these microenterprises.
Check out some of the products available for you to buy at Creative Initiatives.
