OUR VISION
At Sewing Seeds, our vision is to see lives transformed through sewing skills,
“Changing lives one stitch at a time.”
Our Mission
Sewing Seeds is a Canadian-based charity inspired by faith and passionate about supporting individuals and communities through sewing skills training. By empowering others through compassionate teaching and mentorship, we seek to build competence, confidence, economic capacity, and hope.
OUR VALUES
Sewing Seeds is committed to excellence, respect for individuals, communities, and cultures; and creating collaborative environments with all stakeholders.
OUR OVER-ARCHING OBJECTIVES
Our over-arching objective is to establish a legacy of self-sustaining schools, facilities, and graduate-run businesses with significant impact in our targeted communities of operation.
Sierra Leone
Sewing Seeds began its first project in Sierra Leone, Africa in 2002. We sent a team of eight trainers to the war-torn country and provided sewing machines, materials and a beginner’s sewing training program to 30 war-widows. We followed up with an advanced sewing training program for these women in June of that same year.
To date 150 women are trained. Our most accomplished student, N’Mamah, has her own sewin she employs fourteen people and helps to train others who have gone through our
programs. N’mamah dreams of opening a sewing training school one day soon. Others have
opened their own shops in their local markets or out of their homes. Many are doing repairs and
sewing school uniforms. All are sewing clothing for their families and themselves. Twenty five
women are in our micro-credit loan program and continue to bring forward business plans for
their future hopes and dreams.
“Abibatu was one of our top students and has been a supervisor for us when we have taught beginner courses, plus she has the contract for all of the uniforms for a local school. She has a second sewing machine and has trained someone to help her because the contract has grown and she is unable to produce them all herself. She has many ideas and continues to amaze us with all that she does! ”
Ukraine
Two sewing centers have been built, one in Lviv and one in Novovolynshk. These are managed
by locals and are training students on an ongoing basis. We have partnered with a local church
in supporting and constructing an orphanage facility. This orphanage project is in memory
of Elli-Rose Bartel, a 15 year old girl who had a heart for the children in Ukraine. Childrens
programs have been offered along side of our sewing training and have included 100 + children
in each. A project has begun with a new sewing training center in Sarney with hopes of offering
an advanced sewing training program in 2015.
Peru
Sewing training programs have been offered in Manchay and Puerto Supe. Over 80
women have been trained and several are in our micro-credit program.
Mexico
Mexico is our newest addition.
Sewing Seeds International, Volcanes (Puerto Vallarta) MX
Since the Inauguration in December, students have been busy practicing all the skills they were taught in the two weeks of Beginner classes. Students presented the Teachers with all their projects and accomplishments for well earned grades! These past three months of practice have brought the students to a level that demands more complicated Intermediate projects. Slowly, the teachings will become a new ‘skill’ that can be utilized in many directions. Sewing Seeds will return to teach Advanced skills in the Sept / Oct 2015 time period. This will also include lessons in pattern making, cutting, and costing.
Sewing Seeds is very proud of the Volcanes student’s accomplishments, but recognizes the efforts of Arthur Fumerton, of the Volcanes Community Education Program (VCEP), the organization in Puerto Vallarta. Their dedication to seeing ladies of col Volcanes & area, learn a useable Skill and Trade, is very impressive! Already VCEP is getting calls from local Hotels and restaurants looking to employ trained Seamstresses. Local Designers are inquiring about small ‘Contract Sewing’ projects, to stock up before next high season. Shop Owners need décor items sewn for their Customers. The potential for these trained Students is certainly endless and inspiring. VCEP along with Vallarta City Hall, Rotary Club, Sister City, and Amigos are discussing funds to build a small factory to employ the Graduated students. Eventually, this factory may be able to entertain production for: local clothing designers, boutique shops, repair contracts, school & professional uniforms, upholstery, etc. The Sewing School will continue to ensure a good supply of Trained Professional Seamstresses are available for the needs of the Factory.
http://www.vallartatoday.com/puerto-vallarta-sewing-seeds-for-success
http://www.vallartatoday.com/sewing-seeds-international-inauguration-in-puerto-vallarta
Calgary Sewing Centre
The Calgary Sewing Centre is Sewing Seeds newest project. The centre in Calgary has been set up as a place to prepare and facilitate all of the pre-cut projects that are being taught in countries all over the world. The Calgary Centre is home base for its international work, as well as anticipates teaching sewing programs at home. The vision of the centre includes:
Keep inventory levels on all raw and bundled goods
Prepare Projects for upcoming Classes
Cut and Bundle ‘kits’ for Sewing Projects
Prepare and Run ‘Local’ events
Set Up and Maintain Volunteer Database & Communication
Teaching Trainers the sewing curriculum for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced sewing programs.
Create ‘Support Programs’ for Teachers such as Online lessons and Manuals and workbooks