The Ngezandla Zethu Sewing Project in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, was established in 2018 and exists to equip every member of the community, irrespective of age, gender, and race with skills that will empower each one spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. This project provides care and guidance to vulnerable children, young people, adults, and the aged.

“The 2024 class is doing amazing work, the progress I am seeing looking at how they were in January when they came is huge. I have been noticing that even those who are fast learners are very quick to help others without even being asked to, the spirit of oneness in the class is amazing.

Our daily program includes prayer, measurements of garments, cutting of fabric, sewing, drawing and designing garments, working on different types of machines, and hand sewing.

All of these are easy when you speak about them but actually very difficult when it’s time for your hands to work.” Ntombifuthi Dladla (program Administrator and Facilitator).

Ntozakhe Mkhize, one of the participants in the project, commented on the handwork saying,

“It is now the end of the first term, and indeed our hands have been working hard between measuring garments, cutting fabric and using the machines which to some of us is very new and exciting. I have never handled a sewing machine before, and I have never even thought I would, but when my neighbor who has done the course before suggested to me that I join this year’s class, it sounded very interesting. When she showed me her work and told me she learnt all that at Ngezandla Zethu I had to join and do the course myself. I am now very confident; I have learned so much and I am already saving up to buy myself the machine so that I can practice when I get home. Come graduation, you will see my collection!”