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Teaching Sewing Skills in GuyanaAndra Thakur, Ph.D.
Andra Thakur, Ph.D. Apprentice Tailor at the age of 12 and Journeyman Tailor
by the age of 13 in Guyana
Worked in the city (Georgetown) for 2 years
Established a small tailor shop by age 22
Came to Canada in 1966 and completed a B.A. (1971),
M.A. (1973) and Ph.D. (1976) in Canada
Career included teaching Anthropology at University of Alberta;
Sociology and Anthropology in Nigeria and Ghana; Visiting
Professor in India, Thailand; taught in 12+field schools in South East
Asia and Caribbean.
Former Chair and Professor of Anthropology at Vancouver Island
University; Retired 2004; Honoured Research Associate Vancouver
Island University
Taught creative sewing for faculty and staff at VIU on 6 occasions
Taught pattern design while conducting research in Thailand
Continue to sew as a hobby
Sewing/tailoring has been taught more than 12 times in South East Asia and Caribbean.
Students in Thailand learning pattern design
Where is Guyana?
Corriverton, Guyana
Proposed
2010-11
project at
Corriverton
Completed
2009-10
project at
New
Amsterdam
Base support in Guyana
New Amsterdam project (2009-10) was
carried out in association with Guyana
Women in Development (GuyWID-
Berbice); they received the sewing
machines and arranged for transportation
from Georgetown to New Amsterdam
Projects are under the patronage of
Mr. François Montour, Canadian High
Commissioner of Canada to Guyana.
Previous Success Stories November 2009 – February 2010
New Amsterdam, Guyana
Students named the project the
“Nanaimo Sewing School”
25 students initially, with 17 graduating
3 graduates have started a small business
Another is teaching the inmates in a
women’s prison
Another social worker has indicated an
interest in teaching single mothers to sew
Testimonials from Students
"In less than three months Dr. Thakur taught me to cut and sew shirt and trousers for school uniforms, the knowledge which I am already passing on to female prisoners." ------ B.O., prison officer, New Amsterdam
"Not only have I acquired better sewing skills at the Nanaimo Sewing School but proper communication and social skills. Three of us have just started our small business. " ------ L.H., East Canjie, Berbice
"I never had the opportunity to use a sewing machine before, but after 3 months of classes with Dr. Thakur I can now cut and sew school shirt and pants. It was a great blessing – for me to have the experience and for the underprivileged women and the community as a whole." ------ D.R., New Amsterdam, Berbice
Students learning to sew uniforms in New Amsterdam, Guyana 2009-2010
Students learning to sew uniforms in New Amsterdam, Guyana 2009-2010
Upcoming Project:
Corriverton, Guyana Preparatory work October 15-30, 2010
School Nov. 1 2010 – March 4, 2011
Require (30 approx.) sewing machines by
August 1st in order to clean, service and
ship them to Guyana
Require funding in advance for purchase
of fabrics and supplies (more on this
later)
Target groups
Young people, ages 15-18 who have
dropped out of school and cannot find
employment
Young women, often with families to
support, who have not had the
opportunity to learn employment skills
All ages and all ethnic groups will be
encouraged to participate
30 students (approximately)
Benefits • Garments sewn in the course of training will be
donated to poorer children in schools as well as
orphanages
• Recreation: a softball cricket team in the school
(team spirit, discipline and character building)
Approximately 500 uniforms
were distributed from the
New Amsterdam project in
2009-10
Youngsters in their uniforms at the
New Amsterdam Special Needs School
Youngsters in their uniforms at the
Crabwood Creek Primary School
Purpose of the project
To teach a course in sewing that is
intense but relatively short in duration,
with skills that will last a lifetime.
To teach skills that will help individuals
increase their employment potential OR
set up their own small business.
For many, this will mean the difference
between severe poverty and/or living on
the streets and having the means to
support themselves and have self-esteem.
What will they learn
Design and construct patterns
How to sew/tailor garments
How to use/repair/service sewing
machines
Basic marketing skills
Self discipline and positive work attitude
Budget
Amount Funded by
Travel to/from Guyana $1,800. Self
Board and lodging $2,500. Self
Instruction for 6 weeks
(self)
-- Self - volunteer
Rental of space for school Donated Community support
Recruitment of students No cost to project Volunteers at GuyWID
(Guyanese Women in
Development, Berbice)
Sewing machines (30) No cost to project Donations from various
locations on Vancouver Island
from Port Hardy to Nanaimo
I will clean and service the
machines prior to their
shipment.
BudgetAmount Funded by
Assistant instructor $1,200. ?
Transportation of machines to
Guyana
$1,000 ?
Cloth, thread, zippers, needles and
buttons
$2,500 ?
Transport cloth etc from
Georgetown to Corriverton
$ 300. ?
Electricity $ 800 ?
Supplies (daily average cost of
running the school: water,
toilet paper etc.
$40/week X 14 weeks)
$ 560 ?
Totals for unfunded portion $6,360 including salary for assistant
$5,160 excluding salary for assistant
What funding is available
I am prepared to fund my own personal
travel and living expenses.
I have applied to the Canadian High
Commissioner for Guyana, Mr. François
Montour, however, he advises that there
are no monies available from his
organization (Canadian government) to
provide any funding to this project.
How can Rotary support this project:
We would be very grateful for any
financial contribution towards the $5,160
in costs related to Transportation of sewing machines to Guyana
$1,000.
Transport cloth etc from Georgetown to Corriverton $300
Cloth, thread, zippers, needles and buttons $2,500
Supplies (daily average cost of running the school:
water, toilet paper etc. is $40/week X 14 weeks) $560.
Electricity $800.
The Rotary club in Corriverton would be a good choice
for a partner club in Guyana, if desired.
President George Baijnauth 011-592-339-2608
Thank You
Dr. Andra Thakur
phone: 250-756-2652 Nanaimo, BC
e-mail: [email protected]
Joyce Morrison
phone: 250-248-5914 Parksville, BC
e-mail: [email protected]
Contact information
