Adult Education at the Tailoring Department
At the All Is Grace campus in Ndola, Zambia, adults participate in a tailoring program that teaches practical sewing skills. The workshop is located on the school grounds and is designed to help people learn how to use basic sewing machines and create garments. Many participants are single parents with limited formal education who are seeking ways to support their families.
Instructors guide learners through the steps of sewing, from basic stitches to completing finished items. The focus is on practical techniques that can be used to make clothing and other sewn products. As participants develop these skills, they also learn aspects of running a small enterprise, such as managing supplies, understanding costs, and serving customers.
The tailoring space includes more than sewing machines. Necklaces, carved wooden crafts, and other handmade items are also part of the workshop. These products reflect a range of skills and allow participants to explore different crafts in addition to tailoring. Some of the goods are sold locally, providing a source of income for the learners.
Participants also help with practical services, such as repairing clothing for people in their community. This work reinforces their skills and contributes to the neighborhood’s access to affordable services. In some cases, workshop participants help manufacture school uniforms that are used by children at the All Is Grace School.
The workshop is organized in close connection with All Is Grace Community Partnership Initiative, Inc (AGCPI). The school’s director operates a small business, Justin Samba Crafts, within the same space. This allows learners to see how a local enterprise functions and offers them an example of integrating skill development with community livelihood activities.
For many adults, entering the tailoring workshop is the first time they have worked with a sewing machine. As they practice, complete more pieces, and gain confidence, they build a foundation that can support income and community engagement.
The program emphasizes learning through doing. It situates vocational training where learners live and work rather than isolating it in a distant classroom. Participants stay in their community while gaining skills that can contribute to household income and personal agency.
Integration with Broader Work
The tailoring program is one part of AGCPI’s broader efforts to create opportunities for people of different ages. In combination with primary education for children and other skills training for young adults, the adult tailoring workshop reflects a range of programs intended to support learning and livelihood in the local community.
