For a number of years we have been supporting the women’s tailoring programme run by Reeba in India. It was especially good to visit the women who are currently on the programme. They attend for 3 hours each day for 6 months and learn sewing skills, beginning with a small version of the clothes they will eventually learn to make:
They learn to cut out patterns and keep journals of their work:
These are examples of some things they made:
Once they have mastered smaller sizes, they go on to learn how to make these for adults and are therefore empowered to have a skill which can help support their families. We didn’t look quite so professional at the sewing machines!
We were warmly received by these women, who gave us all garlands to wear:
We were privileged to be able to pray for these women. Some are widowed, some are in marriages where they need God to save their husbands, and some have disabled children or are barren and desperately want children. We were extremely touched by their openness to the gospel and by the warmth of their welcome. They are living in a slum area, but have a tremendous hunger for God and we are so pleased to hear of all God is doing in their lives. When they complete the programme, they are given their own sewing machine and encouraged to earn their own livings. Many become Christians through the love and support of this programme and make many new friends, learning the benefits of community living as they also learn a practical skill.