A STITCH IN TIME

This project provides students with sewing kits and lessons on how to become a seamstress or tailor.  The originator of the idea for this project, Myrtha Dor.  She studied to be a professional seamstress for 3 years in Haiti. Myrtha was not able to travel to France for the final exam BUT she has retained the knowledge and wants to share it with her fellow countrymen/women. She submitted her idea last August and when it was approved she submitted her curriculum, for this innovative pilot project.

The original plan called for only a few sewing machines on which the women could learn the skills. As more people learned of the project and participated in a serious discussion it was decided that if we had intentions to make a difference in the lives of these people each student must have a machine of their own. The details were hammered out while Myrtha was in the U.S. last August and upon her return to Haiti she informed the Boyer school committee of the decision to move forward with the project.  On the following Sunday, the sewing project was announced in church inviting ladies and students in the community to register.  The first classes then started on October 6, 2010.

Each student is provided with fabric, rams of drawing paper for patterns, and other necessary tools for sewing projects.  The students learn how to embroider, draw patterns, sewing the patterns made, and how to make alterations.  The classes meet once a week for 9 months.  Most of the students are 7-11 graders, with some adults.  Assignments for the students increase each week.  The ultimate goal is for students to come out of the class with a profession that can help them provide money to their families.  An average salary for a seamstress or tailor is about $2,400 per year working alone and upwards to $9,600 per year working in a company compared with $100 per month for a teacher in the countryside.