Sewing Group

In March 2018, VRUK funded the purchase of eight sewing machines and paid for the services of a tailor to train interested local people. These training sessions took place at the Gasundwe Children’s Centre. The objective was to promote income generation by specifically developing the sewing skills of local women and men. Once they had completed their training and begun to get orders for school uniforms and other garments, they were able to make a small profit by selling their products to Gasundwe parents and in the local Mugonero market. This initiative complements Rwanda's recently introduced strategy of discontinuing the import of second hand clothing and textiles, a move intended to assist the resurgence of Rwanda's own textile industry.

Update 2020 - Since then, they have formed a business group and now rent new premises in Mugonero itself. They have moved the sewing machines from Gasundwe and also own an overlocking machine, which was recently bought through a loan from VRUK. This loan is being repaid through income earned from hiring out an overlocking service to other tailors. The group take orders, especially on the Wednesday market day, and make up garments and other items during the week.

Having seen their work for herself, from dresses ordered for her family, Margo can vouch for the quality of these tailor made products. It is another fledgling income generation project which shows real promise as a future business.