Yesterday we showed you the handicraft programme at the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence.
But that's not the full extent of the self empowerment training going on at the Institute, other participants are also learning about sewing.
It's actually pattern design and their instructor, Gertrude Daniels, told us more:
Gertrude Daniels - Instructor
"Okay, it's for the women to be able to do something for themselves. So I was asked to teach them the patterns, so that from then on, they could always work for themselves. I think these women are doing very well, because when they first started, they didn't know much about patterns. So I taught them the first pattern - this was in February - and in my March, we started to do the production patterns. So all of the stuff that you see hanging in there, they are the ones that did them. I think it's very important for them because from now on, they should be able to do things on their own. So I think that it's that important."
Erlene Cambell - Participant
"We are trying to do a production for Belize - a Belizean Production. You know when you go into the store, and you buy name brand clothing, you also will have Belizean name brand clothing. And we are sewing clothing for the weather of Belize. We are not making warm stuff; everything is for the climate of Belize. And We are also doing jewelry, bags, everything to combine with our clothing."
The pattern design is also part of the OAS funded Ziricote Belize Inc., a sewing and handicrafts program for Belizean women produced in association with an OAS project...
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