In late July 2025, Saint Gabriel NGO launched a sewing training program for 120 young women from both urban neighborhoods and rural areas of Tamatave. This initiative is part of the Health and Well-being of Rural Girls component for rural beneficiaries and the Keeping Girls in School component for urban beneficiaries, aiming to promote economic empowerment through valuable technical skills.
Participants were reminded of the importance of the sewing profession, which requires discipline, precision, and commitment. The day continued with training on the basics: understanding raw materials, using and maintaining sewing machines, different types of hand stitches, and making study pieces such as finishes, pockets, darts, pleats, gathers, buttonholes, zippers, and hems. A practical session on taking measurements concluded the day.
Previously, these young women had received training on menstrual hygiene and the creation of simple accessories. While some are still in school, others have left the education system, but all share the same goal: acquiring skills that can open doors to new opportunities. This stage marks a move toward garment-making and greater professional prospects.
Implemented in collaboration with the Tanamakoa Sisters’ Center, which provides pedagogical support, this program reflects Saint Gabriel NGO’s enduring commitment to education, training, and the promotion of human dignity as drivers of social transformation.