After working in the industry for more than 30 years Maria Brander hopes to impart skills to help get the youth employed.
Officially registered in October last year, the non-profit Sewing Academy School started with its first intake of three people in March.
“I had one machine with three people,” Brander explained.
“From there we grew to five people. More people heard about it and we received more machines. We then had six machines and 17 people.
Although challenging, the training has enabled a number of these learners to find employment and training at the holding company Pepkor’s manufacturing factory.
The need for this initiative is great in the community, said Brander, who asked God for a sign on what to do with her life.
“I started as a runner in a factory and worked my way up to machinist. I worked there for 35 years at what is now known as the House of Monatic,” she said.
“When it retrenched I gave my name and worked at other places here and there. I asked God “What can I do for you?” and he told me I can show my skills to the people standing around.”
So far the group of females and a few males aged 14 to 51 have completed the course.
“The need is great in the community,” Brander pointed out. “There are so many more people who want to come, but I don’t have enough machines. Even when we had the group of 17 we needed to do two shifts – in the morning and afternoon.”
Using domestic sewing machines has also prolonged the training process, she said, even though they are much slower than the industrial machines used in factories.
The main goal of this training is to equip trainees with basic machinist skills such as hemming, straight seams and threading and working a machine.
Brander has also taught them basic pattern cutting. The goal is to gain factory experience and get them employed, she said.
“The programme is weekly for as long as needed. We don’t have the right equipment, such as industrial machines. We are training on these domestic machines, which is very slow. If I can get an industrial machine the training will be much quicker.
“They know everything, but the machines are very slow. If I can, at least, get 10 machines and an industrial machine, believe me, they are so eager to work, they can do everything. They sacrifice to be here to learn.”
Her neighbour, Sharon Brink, allowed them the opportunity to learn the basics on her industrial sewing machine. Brander expressed her gratitude for this opportunity.
Using scraps and sponsored fabrics, they get by. “It’s not that much, but enough to keep us going,” Brander said.
“I want to get them off the streets. They are so happy to start. There are also people referred by social workers.
“I want to help people out there who really need help, for instance, those who are on drugs so they can stop doing that. There are people here who are hungry. I give, but I am a pensioner so I can’t sponsor everyone.”
Ashlyn Fortuin, one of her clients from Lentegeur, has been at the academy since May and is excited about the skills she is learning.
“One of my friends heard about it and came to tell me, and I decided I wanted to go with her. I didn’t have work, sitting on the streets the whole time without money or anything, and then I started learning to sew. I like it, it’s exciting and I enjoy myself.
“If I get this job I’m going to buy my machine and make my clothes.”
Fortuin points out that such opportunities for youth are few.
“In Lentegeur a lot of people my age are sitting on the streets without anything to do,” she said. “There are not many opportunities for the youth.
“We want to thank sister Marie for taking us off the streets.”
The Sewing Academy School’s needs include all sewing-related equipment, such as machines, fabric, cotton as well as food parcels.
It caters for people all over the Cape. Her students sometimes walk from as far as Delft to attend these sessions. Others are from Lentegeur, Tafelsig, Beacon Valley and surrounds.
Brander would like to thank all those who have assisted her to this point, including the security at Oval North who brought tables for the non-profit.
She also acknowledged her pastor, Hector Ortiz, who donated the certificates for the first group and often assists with collecting donations
Her biggest hope is to be able to grow the academy to teach working skills to as many people as possible.
To donate, or for more information, call Brander on 073 020 6286 or Jill on 083 655 5099.
