Women challenged to exceed their own expectations.
You can help women learn professional tailoring skills that help provide for their families.
Many women in Zambia are experiencing breakthroughs, including in how they view themselves and their abilities. They are part of Tabitha Designs, a skills development group run by OM Zambia. The ladies learn creativity, sewing and entrepreneurship there. Here are the stories of three women from Tabitha Designs, though names have been changed:
Priscilla joined the group in January 2010. At first she found it difficult to learn new designs, even though she knew something about sewing. Her husband was disabled, and she was responsible for looking after the children and supporting her family financially. After learning dressmaking skills at Tabitha Designs, she started selling dresses in her community. Since then, her life has changed. She has even surpassed some of her trainers in skill and is known for her initiative and creativity - she has even taken some of the ribbon out of old cassette tapes and knitted it skillfully into a cap.
Another lady, Jane, cared for her six children by working as a domestic worker. It was one of the few jobs available to someone with no education. 
Upon joining Tabitha, Jane found design difficult. Betty, leader of Tabitha Designs, encouraged her. "Last week I was telling her she should have confidence and not look at other people as if they are better than her," says Betty. "I gave her an assignment to make a man's shirt. She came back today, showing me what she had done, and it was excellent!"
A third lady, Alice, had a problem with communication and almost gave up. "We told her that if she tells herself that she can't do it, she won't be able to; but if she says she can, it will change everything," says Betty. After that encouragement, Alice started showing interest and became very committed. She started by making a shirt for her young son. She went home to show her husband, and he couldn't believe that she had made it!
For the coordinators of Tabitha Designs, it is encouraging to see that the work they are doing brings about results like these. The women are gaining dignity, as well as marketable professional skills. Tabitha Designs’ goal is to train 40 ladies per year. To help achieve that goal, they need 15 new sewing machines and training stations.
If you would like to be part of this transforming ministry, you can give any amount by clicking below, but $150 allows one woman to complete the training. Thank you.
