Case Story – Ireen David
Ireen David aged 25 from Mntchenenje village in traditional authority Mkukula, Dowa district is a beneficiary of the DAPP Satellite course offered at DAPP Dowa Teachers Training College (TTC). The tailoring course is four months long and targets adolescent girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds residing in communities surrounding DAPP TTC’s in Mzimba, Dowa, Thyolo and Chileka.
“I joined the tailoring course in September 2017 and graduated in April 2018. I must admit, I enjoyed my time at the college and the tailoring instructors were very helpful. By the time I was graduating I had learnt how to sew 8 items which include a petticoat, caftan, men’s shorts, girl school uniform, national wear, pencil skirt, ladies blouse and a that” she says
After receiving the starter parks from DAPP Dowa satellite center on graduation day, Ireen and her trio group members who comprise of three women who also graduated from DAPP Dowa TTC started a tailoring shop business on the 21st July 2018 at Tchenenje village.
“At first the business wasn’t going on well because I had no customers since I was new at the market, by and by I started receiving customers as I was producing good quality products at affordable prices. My wish is to one day have my own sewing machine and a tailoring shop where I will be able to be an employer. Now am a happy person because am able to support my family and buy farm inputs for this year using the money that I have made from the tailoring business.” Says Ireen.
She thanks DAPP Malawi and Sympany who are the sponsors of this project for the skill in tailoring that she was taught throughout the four months training. Before acquiring the tailoring skills, Ireen was earning between K850 - K10, 000 and now makes between K80, 000 - K95000 per month because of the tailoring business.
