Gaining skills to build a better future for the children

Through the MCC-supported Episcopal Church of Sudan’s Mother’s Union tailoring project in Juba, South Sudan, women such as Flora Lino are gaining skills that they can use to build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Each year, 20 women participate in this six-month program supported by MCC. At the completion of the program, participants can buy their sewing machine at a reduced rate.

Assistant trainer Joyce Dudu (left) stands with the founder and coordinator of the tailoring project, Florence Ayikoru. In the background is tailoring trainer Mustafa Atrima.

Teresa Festo threads her sewing machine. Through the program, women learn sewing, life skills and small business management.

Toddlers Ester Keji (left) and Emmanuel Kenyi sit on their mother’s laps while their mothers, Jerisa Muro and Hellen Poni, talk with tailoring instructor Mustafa Atrima.

Ester Kiko threads a needle. Women learn needle and hand-sewing techniques in addition to gaining experience with sewing machines.

Ester Keji, 2, takes a nap while her mother Jerisa Muro sews.

Staying close to their mothers, children become familiar with sewing machines and the sights and sounds of a sewing class. Ester Keji, 2, explores the mechanical aspects of a sewing machine while her mother Jerisa Muro is busy with her hand stitching.

Nancy Baako sews as her daughter Winnie Alfred looks on. In the background are other children whose mothers are learning to sew.

Blue ink outlines the shape of a baby’s dress and records measurements in this pattern sketchbook.

Tailoring instructor Mustafa Atrima shows the dress to students. In addition to teaching students how to sew and training them in life and business skills, leaders urge graduates to continue to come to the center for encouragement and further assistance as needed.

The program has already made a difference for graduates such as Rose David, who finished the program in 2010 and now sews at her home. Before, David says, “when the children came home from school, we had nothing to eat.” Now that she is working, her children have enough food and can receive medical care, when needed. Read more about this effort and MCC’s work in South Sudan in the fall issue of MCC’s magazine, A Common Place. David is shown with her children, (back row) Daniel, 7, Elizabeth, 10, Samson, 1, Nelson, 13, (front row) Moses, 6, and Ester, 3.