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After 36 weeks of learning, the big day finally arrived for the 26 students of the sewing class in Rigaud Haiti; 21 women and 5 men to show what they have learned and accomplished during that period of time on a special Sunday morning; their graduation day, July 19, 2015, that will mark their lives forever.
The beginning of this event began the first day of class. But the final exams to put all the 83 dresses or sets of clothing together had taken them 4 weeks of hard work.
Husbands, children, parents and friends were already there, when I arrived. They were attending the “fashion show”, so proud of their wives, mothers, daughters and sons. Everybody was so happy to clap hands for their specific graduate. I participated in everyone’s happiness for being the teacher of this group who witnesses that big achievement that Star of Hope had made in the lives of these men and women by giving them a profession.
Each woman walked in dressed in their clothing set they created. Through each graduate’s presentation of materials sew, we can say out loud that without Star of Hope these 26 graduates of the Sewing class in Rigaud would stay anonymous and vanishing in the nature without knowing that they had the capacity of producing with their hands something valuable to live on with their family and for their community.
I have seen all fashion catalogs for this graduation from my students. Some of them had even picked dresses from the internet. I have taught them to be curious and to look at all clothes with loving eyes judgment that will help them to feel capable of making and reproduce any model. But what I had marked me the most it’s a doll dress that a student named Estania Charles Balan wanted to replicate for her exam. A good seamstress is curious… yes, she found her model on a doll…
The graduates, parents and the school comity in Rigaud send their special thanks to Star of Hope who have accomplished again this tremendous work in Rigaud by gifted the community 26 persons a new profession on the sewing market business.
This promotion which is the 5th of SOH sewing program came with 4 laureates this year. Guerline Appolon wins the 3rd position with 2 dresses; the yellow & black and khaki dress with “L” cross trips. The choice was too difficult to decide between 2 candidates who won both the 2nd place; Décéus Sainte Jeanne Pierre presented 4 beautiful dresses while Vincent Vixelau also made 4 beautiful dresses nicely fit his mannequins. But, it was with no doubt that Marie Manelie Joly won the 1st place for all her 3 dresses and a white suit presented to the public.
I’m happy too to have new pieces in my closet produced by some of my students. A suit, 2 sets and 2 dresses…made for free just for their teacher…
Please view these pictures while the entire group would love to hear your comments. Send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Text and Photos Myrtha Dor
Myrtha Dor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Director, Star of Hope, Haiti
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