"Hello everyone! I made this dress from fabric a friend gave me," Pratima Kumari explained with a shy smile. "I just need to hem the bottom, and then it will be ready to give to her." On June 2, the sewing classroom at the Tzu Chi office in Bodh Gaya, India, transformed into a small runway. Six women, once strangers to the craft, proudly displayed their creations, each piece a testament to their newfound skills and burgeoning confidence. For these women, learning to operate a sewing machine is about more than just mastering a trade; it is about weaving a new future for themselves and their families.
A Skill, A Stepping Stone
Since establishing its Bodh Gaya office in September 2023, Tzu Chi has focused on providing not just immediate aid but also pathways to self-sufficiency. The vocational sewing class, now welcoming its fourth group of students, is a cornerstone of this effort. The program's potential is already visible in the story of Saraswati Devi, a graduate of the first class. Inspired by the Jing Si Aphorism, "Learn through working and awaken through learning," she opened her own sari shop in October 2024. Now, she plans to teach sewing herself, extending the circle of empowerment.
In a region where women's opportunities are often limited to domestic roles or manual labor, this program offers a chance to step into the professional world. Malaysian volunteer Geok Kim Lim (林玉金) noted the significant progress in the students' focus and attitude, especially after class rules were established. "This class is very focused," she observed. "They are very stable and full of gratitude."
Stories Woven in Fabric
The current class is filled with stories of friendship and determination. Pratima Kumari and her neighbor, Nitu Devi, are both single mothers who receive support from Tzu Chi. They joined the class together, finding strength in each other's company. On this day, both wore matching black tops they had made, a practical choice they agreed was easy to pair with other clothes. Nitu, who often brings her young daughter to class, also crafted a vibrant red top for her mother-in-law.
Pratima, holding up a pink floral dress, explained it was a gift for the friend who provided the fabric. "Coming to the sewing class, everything feels wonderful," she shared, gesturing to the top she was wearing. "I hope this will lead to work opportunities in the future."
Others are already thinking like entrepreneurs. Nitu Kumari, who joined the class to help support her family after her brother’s passing, held up a pair of comfortable trousers with a delicate floral trim. "I want to sell this," she said with a hopeful smile. Her classmate, Archi, shared the same goal, showing off a simple, practical pair of grey pants she had just completed.
LEFT: Nitu Devi (left) brings her daughter to class, who sits quietly beside her, sometimes helping pick up scraps of fabric. RIGHT: With a teacher's dedication and a mother's heart, sewing teacher Afsana Perween (right) not only provides one-on-one guidance to her students but also helps care for their children. | Photos: Tsui-Lien Ling | India
Overcoming Life's Hurdles
The classroom is a space where resilience shines. Minki Kumari, who has vision in only one eye, sometimes struggles to see clearly but refuses to be discouraged. She leans in close to her work, her focus unwavering, embodying a spirit of fierce determination.
At the back of the room, Tetari Kumari operates her sewing machine with a steady rhythm. After a right leg amputation, she now uses a prosthesis and has learned to control the machine's pedal with her left foot. Each press of the pedal is not just a small movement but a significant step forward, moving past physical limitations and reclaiming her independence. "Tzu Chi is very, very good!" she said with a bright smile.
LEFT: Despite having vision in only one eye, Minki Kumari (right) focuses intently on her sewing work. RIGHT: Tetari Kumari (left), who has a prosthetic leg, has skillfully learned to operate the sewing machine pedal with her other foot, her concentration unbroken. Photos: Tsui-Lien Ling | India
Guiding them through every step is their teacher, Afsana Perween. With gentle patience, she moves through the classroom, offering one-on-one instruction, demonstrating techniques, and even helping to look after the students' children. "If you have fabric, bring it to the class. We will teach you for free," she says warmly. Her nurturing presence has made her a mentor and friend to the women. As the sewing machines whir, they stitch more than just fabric; they are piecing together new lives, transforming hardship into hope, and taking a confident step toward a brighter, self-reliant future.
Written by Mei-Hui Li (李美慧)
Source: 踩踏一小步 縫紉班女性跨出一大步
