More than 20 years ago, Gakeema Goolam started a sewing class for women wanting to learn a new skill. On Sunday, some of the outfits created by Ms Goolam’s students appeared in a fashion show at Athlone Pre-Primary School.
Ms Goolam, whose mother was a dressmaker, offers a three-month sewing course three time a year, at the Markazul Qur’an Was Sunnah mosque in Birdwood Street, Athlone. Some of the women attend the course for free while others pay what they can afford.
“The fashion show is their graduation,” she said of Sunday’s event, adding that most of the women who do her sewing course were single mothers and divorcees.
“So this keeps them busy; it is their happy place. We are having the fashion show to showcase their work, and it motivates others at home to do this also.
“Lots of ladies come to the fashion show to look for new designs. I hope to start a workshop with older ladies next month who also want to come out and learn new skills, and socialise.”
Maureen Vogus, 69, from Ottery, made some of the garments at Sunday’s fashion show using her sewing machine, which is more than 20 years old.
She joined the course in January after a neighbour paid for it as a gift.
The training could help young people start their own businesses, she said, adding that she hoped to add the earnings she made from her new skills to her meagre pension.
“So far, I’ve made a tracksuit pants for my grandson, who is 2 years old, and one for myself. My other children are also saying I must sew for their children. I’ve been gifted all the material I’ve been sewing with.
“For the fashion show, I made a top, a pants and a gilet. I’ve also made a skirt, tracksuit pants, dress, and a top. I never thought at this age I’d be able to do this. I am proud of myself. I sent my pictures overseas to my friends who have emigrated. I am hoping to wear this jacket I’m making for my 70th birthday.”
Fatu Asomba,18, from Athlone, started the course a week ago. This is her gap year as she is still undecided about what she wants to study.
“I came here to learn so that by the time I go study I can have a business on the side for income. I don’t know what I want to study yet. It is important to have something like this in the community to educate others, and what we learn here we can teach others,” she said.