Building on his past successes, Andra Thakur of Nanaimo Sewing School is again collecting sewing machines for Guyana.
The retired Vancouver Island University anthropology professor established two, 16-week sewing courses in two towns in the small South American country, producing close to 30 graduates who each received a sewing machine.
The third course begins Aug. 29 and the deadline for donating sewing machines is Thursday (July 14). The machines will be serviced, packed and sent to Guyana and each student will receive one upon graduation.
Trained as a professional tailor while growing up in Guyana, Thakur now returns to teach the sewing classes in hope that the skills will keep young people off the streets and provide a solid opportunity to earn a livelihood.
The students focus on measuring, cutting and sewing school uniforms.
The cloth is purchased locally and all the clothing sewn is donated to the poorer children in the primary schools.
Donated sewing machines need to be in good running order and electric, not treadle.
To make a donation of a sewing machine or to get more information, please call Joyce Morrison at 250-248-5914 or e-mail jlm123@shaw.ca