“I no longer go to the market to look for a skirt as I can make it myself.” Jacqueline’s success story after 6 months in vocational school

Six months ago, we had shared about two young girls, Uwicyenda Jacqueline and Dusabirane Josephine from underprivileged backgrounds who after many years were able to resume their education journey.  They are now finishing second term of tailoring in Vocational School with the hope of gaining employable skills that will earn them a living and support their families after the program.

Their journey in education had gone as far as completing O-level, after which they could not progress further due to a lack of funds. Their dream of going back to school seemed impossible until they joined CARSA’s youth development program, which supported them in getting all the educational necessities they needed to go back to school.

After completing two consecutive terms, both Jacqueline and Josephine are now relishing the progress as they can sew certain women’s and children’s styles on their own. They look forward to learning how to make trousers, suits, and other difficult mock-ups in the upcoming term.

One of two girls is Uwicyenda Jacqueline who was born in 2003 in Mugina Sector, Kamonyi District Southern Rwanda faced a challenging education journey due to her parent’s inability to pay for school necessities.

“Our lessons started on using sewing needles and making embroidery with thread. This was not easy for me as some of my classmates already knew it but slowly by slowly, I came to know how I could do it myself. Today, I can make clothes from the stitch to the finished garment. These 4 skirts, 3 bags, 2 hats, and 9 ranges of outfits for young people were all sewed by me. Now, I no longer need to go to the local marketplaces outfits for to buy clothes as I can instead make my skirts or shirts myself like these in my hands. With CARSA I have regained hope and these sewing skills will sustain me to earn a living to support my family soon after graduation,” Jacqueline uttered.

Josephine was in the same situation as Jacqueline as they both come from the same community. Her parents stayed together but in abject life, they could not afford her schooling. This brought some waves to her education journey and caused her to drop out in S2. She went to Kigali to look for a job (housemaid), and by chance she got it, but it wasn’t decent; she was occupied from morning to night, with very limited work breaks, and could only get a Rwf10,000($8) a monthly stipend, which is too low compared to the cost of living.

She returned home and stayed for a long time but with a deep desire and wish to pursue fashion design. She tried to learn from local tailors for some practical learning, but she couldn’t make it until she was identified by CARSA and now she is excelling with the tailoring skills. For only 6 months she has started making her own dresses. She is looking forward to learning the remaining models and sewing for other people soon after the program. 

"What we’re studying here at school is totally different from the one in my village because at my school there is a conducive climate and enough sewing equipment that enables me to further practice. Now, I can cut, measure, and assemble some women’s and children’s clothes, especially from Kitenge (local cotton) without outside support. In the next 3 months, I will also know how to make costumes, pants, and some expensive replicas (Amaribaya).” Josephine articulated.

Both two young girls look forward to pursuing an apprenticeship next month in one of the national iconic garment plants or fashion designer houses to outshine their technical skills informed by market needs and unleash their full potential in fashion and design careers.

Jacqueline and Josephine are showcasing what they sewed.