Tailoring School

The Tailoring School

Margaret Odit
Head of the Tailoring Schol

Founded in 1986, a total number of 50 students are currently enrolled in our tailoring school. We currently employ four staff members who are specialized in different areas of dressmaking and designing. During the last two years, 58 students have successfully graduated from our institution, some of which have chosen to team up in order to start up their own businesses. We strongly encourage our students to form teams, since it is easier for a group than for a single individual to handle the challenges of establishing an own business.

The Staff of the Tailoring School

St Francis Tailoring School is a member of UGAPRIVI (Uganda Association of Private Vocational Institutions), and has a cooperation with the Father Vjeko Center in Kivumu Rwanda. One of the most faithful donors is Valerie Kae Ken of Alberta, Canada, who has given much assistance to both schools.

To obtain a certificate, our students are required to pursue a two year programme which is divided into six levels. Students need to successfully complete one level before they are allowed to advance to the subsequent one.

During these six levels of training students' skills in hand and machine work improve.They acquire a vast number of skills comprising the designing and production of traditional african clothing as well as home furnishings such as quilts and curtains, and instruction in dressmaking and tailoring. Former students work in a variety of fields, e.g. as tailoring teachers, in the garment industry, or in private entrepreneurship. Our aim is to provide high quality teaching to our students, to facilitate the skills required to pursue a career in tailoring, and to encourage them to work creatively and independently. Our courses are certified by the local Department of Education. Moreover, our students sit for national trade exams to acquire National Trade Test Cerficates.

Apart from our teaching, we also run a small production unit where people can place special orders. There we custom-tailor a variety of artifacts such as personal clothing, school uniforms, suits, or quilts.

Students in their second year

In 2012, the government has once again selected the St Francis Family Helper Programme Tailoring School to carry out one of their technical training projects. The objective of these non-formal skills trainings is to reduce adolescent unemployment by providing a three months' training course in various fabric dyeing techniques. The government assumes the responsibility of paying the students' tuition fees as well as the material needed for the facilitation. We owe the honour to again have been chosen to facilitate this course first and foremost to the successful outcome of last year's training: many of our former students nowadays dye and sell their own fabrics in the Mbarara region.

If you are interested in sponsoring a student, receiving further information on our work or sposno please don't hesitate to contact Margaret Odit, Head of Tailoring School, or Frank Vuciri, our Assistant Executive Administrator.

Fabrics dyed as part of the governmental non-formal skills training

Rev 3.1 2-12-12