Sewing and Tin Smithing
Training in a trade is an important aspect of the care provided by MACOP to the orphans as once they reach the age of 18 they are no longer supported by the program. Very few attend secondary school as they do not have the grades and are are unable to afford the fees. MACOP has been supporting up to 20 orphans with good grades at secondary school but has been unable to afford to support any at trades school. Without training in a trade our program 'graduates' would likely be unemployed and have no means of support.
MAOCP thus runs small training programs in sewing/tailoring and tin smithng. The children clamour to learn these skills which will enable them to learn a trade and earn money.
Ruth and Josephine (upper right photo) are two dedicated women who come each Saturday to teach sewing and tailoring to girls and boys on five sewing machines purchased through MAOCP and two knitting machines, one provided by the diocese.
John, our tinsmith, teaches the boys tin smithing. They learn how to make stoves, trays, pails, bowls and cooking pots.
The articles made by both groups are sold locally and partly support the training activities. The sewing/tailoring group have sent articles such as aprons and wrap around skirts to Cobourg where they have sold very well and help support their activities.
We need funds to provide additional sewing and knitting machines so more children can be trained at one time, funds for materials, funds for loans to MAOCP 'graduates' so they can set up small businesses, and support for the volunteer trainers who are very poor and receive only tiny honoraria.
MAOCP thus runs small training programs in sewing/tailoring and tin smithng. The children clamour to learn these skills which will enable them to learn a trade and earn money.
Ruth and Josephine (upper right photo) are two dedicated women who come each Saturday to teach sewing and tailoring to girls and boys on five sewing machines purchased through MAOCP and two knitting machines, one provided by the diocese.
John, our tinsmith, teaches the boys tin smithing. They learn how to make stoves, trays, pails, bowls and cooking pots.
The articles made by both groups are sold locally and partly support the training activities. The sewing/tailoring group have sent articles such as aprons and wrap around skirts to Cobourg where they have sold very well and help support their activities.
We need funds to provide additional sewing and knitting machines so more children can be trained at one time, funds for materials, funds for loans to MAOCP 'graduates' so they can set up small businesses, and support for the volunteer trainers who are very poor and receive only tiny honoraria.