Welcome to Betty’s tailoring school and workshop!

I first met Betty in 2008 and have been thrilled to be able to witness the growth of her tailoring business. Since 2014, Betty has been sewing pads and bags for our menstrual kits. She has made me several outfits simply based on a sketch and my measurements. She is a gifted seamstress.

Two years ago, she spoke about wanting to start a tailoring school. Her dream was to train others as well as offering internship for tailoring students. This spring, her dream began to materialize.

She found a home with 5 rooms where she can live with her family and students can stay during the week if they live far away.

She is offering full training programs as well as specialized training if someone wants to learn a specific skill. She is also learning machine repair to be able to teach her students.

ISEE helped her equip her school so that she can offer full services from the design to the final product with details like snaps. The only piece she is not interested in doing is the embroidery but who knows, that may come next!

The students at Dr Knox held a bake sale to sponsor Lydia, a young mother of 2, who had been chased from school when she fell pregnant with her first child. It took a few weeks for Lydia to settle into Betty’s school program but now she is soaring.

Betty says Lydia has great drive and is continuously trying new things. She simply looks at a dress, thinks of modifications, and starts sewing. To say she couldn’t sew three months ago, this young woman is incredibly gifted.

“I want to be an international designer,” Lydia exclaims. If she stays as focussed as she is now, I see a bright designing future for her!

Have a great day.

Erika