Delivered in small, intensive groups, the Tailoring Project mixes classroom instruction with hours of practical workshop time under the guidance of master tailor Madam Wema. Learners contribute a modest monthly fee that, together with support from individual funders, keeps the training both accessible and self-sustaining.
Over six months trainees master pattern drafting, cutting, machine operation and finishing techniques, while short modules on pricing, customer care and record-keeping prepare them for life beyond the classroom. Kinara’s team stays close after graduation, offering three months of follow-up coaching to help each graduate find clients, price services and navigate supply chains.
Completion rates are consistently high. Recent cohorts saw all nine participants graduate fully proficient in sewing and ready to open their own businesses or take paid piece-work. Access to sewing machines remains the biggest hurdle, so Kinara links graduates to micro-savings groups and second-hand equipment suppliers, ensuring every new tailor can put her skills to work as quickly as possible.
By pairing rigorous craft training with post-course support, the Tailoring Project gives young women a pathway to steady income, greater financial independence and a stronger voice in their households and communities.