Tailor shops in Nepal may look a lot different to what we see in Australia. Especially if we are used to seeing ones in Shopping Centres, with numerous lights, signage, advertising, air-conditioning and waiting areas. Tailor shops in Nepal are usually tiny, often are part of the woman’s home. Either part of her only room or attached as a front verandah or in the bedroom/living area. The lighting will be minimal, electricity inconsistent, therefore requiring pedal power, no heating or cooling and probably work will need to be done while caring for children and family at the same time. No Day Care Centre.
It might sound like tailoring is not a great option. But it IS! A single sewing machine and basic tools, scissors, thread and tape measure will set up a woman to earn an income and greatly improve her ability to provide for herself and also her family. It requires no special building or business set up. A sewing machine costs around, $350AUD and can be arranged and delivered to the woman in as little as 3 weeks from project commencement. She can then immediately begin to earn income. If she has little skills or requires extra training, Wise Woman Project can assist her with accessing this also.
Since 2021 WWP have supported the purchase of 20 sewing machines and tailor businesses to start up. WWP also invested sewing machines into a women’s prison so that inmates may develop skills for when they are released.
In 2025 we are launching our own Tailor Training Centre – “Threads of Hope”. This Centre will provide professional training with certificate qualification, and post training support for employment. The Centre will offer scholarships for women with the end goal of gaining the ability to earn an income from their home or in a small shop set up. This opportunity allows the women to stay in their community, use resources they have, access local markets, and support their families through a small business of their own.
With the partnership of the local church and the hard work of the laborer’s, the Centre is nearing completion. I will be in Nepal in November 2025 to oversee the set up of the Centre and the employment of the teacher. What an exciting time!
We would love to increase our blessing in this area of income generation. Let me know if you would like to pay the scholarship for any of the precious women who are ready for this opportunity. The cost for each woman to participate, receive the certificate, and cover the cost of the building, machines, materials and teacher salary works out to be around $800 per woman. The goal is to provide 15 women this opportunity in the first round of training(Other courses will run with less costs as the initial set up would have been paid for).
The first course is due to commence in early 2026.
WISE WOMAN PROJECT 