Teaching Sewing Skills in Andra Thakur, Ph.D. Andra Thakur, Ph.D.  Apprentice Tailor at the age of 12 and Journeyman Tailor by the age of 13 in Guyana  Worked in the city (Georgetown) for 2 years  Established a small tailor shop by age 22  Came to Canada in 1966 and completed a B.A. (1971), M.A. (1973) and Ph.D. (1976) in Canada  Career included teaching Anthropology at University of Alberta; Sociology and Anthropology in Nigeria and Ghana; Visiting Professor in India, Thailand; taught in 12+field schools in South East Asia and Caribbean.  Former Chair and Professor of Anthropology at Vancouver Island University; Retired 2004; Honoured Research Associate Vancouver Island University  Taught creative sewing for faculty and staff at VIU on 6 occasions  Taught pattern design while conducting research in Thailand  Continue to sew as a hobby Sewing/tailoring has been taught more than 12 times in South East Asia and Caribbean. Students in Thailand learning pattern design Where is Guyana? Corriverton, Guyana

Completed 2009-10 project at New Amsterdam

Proposed 2010-11 project at Corriverton Base support in Guyana

 New Amsterdam project (2009-10) was carried out in association with Guyana Women in Development (GuyWID- ); they received the sewing machines and arranged for transportation from Georgetown to New Amsterdam  Projects are under the patronage of Mr. François Montour, Canadian High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana. Previous Success Stories  November 2009 – February 2010 New Amsterdam, Guyana  Students named the project the “Nanaimo Sewing School”  25 students initially, with 17 graduating  3 graduates have started a small business  Another is teaching the inmates in a women’s prison  Another social worker has indicated an interest in teaching single mothers to sew Testimonials from Students

 "In less than three months Dr. Thakur taught me to cut and sew shirt and trousers for school uniforms, the knowledge which I am already passing on to female prisoners." ------B.O., prison officer, New Amsterdam

 "Not only have I acquired better sewing skills at the Nanaimo Sewing School but proper communication and social skills. Three of us have just started our small business. " ------L.H., East Canjie, Berbice

 "I never had the opportunity to use a sewing machine before, but after 3 months of classes with Dr. Thakur I can now cut and sew school shirt and pants. It was a great blessing – for me to have the experience and for the underprivileged women and the community as a whole." ------D.R., New Amsterdam, Berbice Students learning to sew uniforms in New Amsterdam, Guyana 2009-2010 Students learning to sew uniforms in New Amsterdam, Guyana 2009-2010 Upcoming Project: Corriverton, Guyana  Preparatory work October 15-30, 2010  School Nov. 1 2010 – March 4, 2011  Require (30 approx.) sewing machines by August 1st in order to clean, service and ship them to Guyana  Require funding in advance for purchase of fabrics and supplies (more on this later) Target groups

 Young people, ages 15-18 who have dropped out of school and cannot find employment  Young women, often with families to support, who have not had the opportunity to learn employment skills  All ages and all ethnic groups will be encouraged to participate  30 students (approximately) Benefits • Garments sewn in the course of training will be donated to poorer children in schools as well as orphanages

Approximately 500 uniforms were distributed from the New Amsterdam project in 2009-10

• Recreation: a softball cricket team in the school (team spirit, discipline and character building) Youngsters in their uniforms at the New Amsterdam Special Needs School Youngsters in their uniforms at the Primary School Purpose of the project  To teach a course in sewing that is intense but relatively short in duration, with skills that will last a lifetime.  To teach skills that will help individuals increase their employment potential OR set up their own small business.  For many, this will mean the difference between severe poverty and/or living on the streets and having the means to support themselves and have self-esteem. What will they learn

 Design and construct patterns  How to sew/tailor garments  How to use/repair/service sewing machines  Basic marketing skills  Self discipline and positive work attitude Budget

Amount Funded by Travel to/from Guyana $1,800. Self Board and lodging $2,500. Self Instruction for 6 weeks -- Self - volunteer (self) Rental of space for school Donated Community support Recruitment of students No cost to project Volunteers at GuyWID (Guyanese Women in Development, Berbice) Sewing machines (30) No cost to project Donations from various locations on Vancouver Island from Port Hardy to Nanaimo I will clean and service the machines prior to their shipment. Budget Amount Funded by Assistant instructor $1,200. ? Transportation of machines to $1,000 ? Guyana Cloth, thread, zippers, needles and $2,500 ? buttons Transport cloth etc from $ 300. ? Georgetown to Corriverton Electricity $ 800 ? Supplies (daily average cost of $ 560 ? running the school: water, toilet paper etc. $40/week X 14 weeks) Totals for unfunded portion $6,360 including salary for assistant $5,160 excluding salary for assistant What funding is available  I am prepared to fund my own personal travel and living expenses.  I have applied to the Canadian High Commissioner for Guyana, Mr. François Montour, however, he advises that there are no monies available from his organization (Canadian government) to provide any funding to this project. How can Rotary support this project: . We would be very grateful for any financial contribution towards the $5,160 in costs related to . Transportation of sewing machines to Guyana $1,000. . Transport cloth etc from Georgetown to Corriverton $300 . Cloth, thread, zippers, needles and buttons $2,500 . Supplies (daily average cost of running the school: water, toilet paper etc. is $40/week X 14 weeks) $560. . Electricity $800. The Rotary club in Corriverton would be a good choice for a partner club in Guyana, if desired. President George Baijnauth 011-592-339-2608 [email protected] Thank You Contact information

 Dr. Andra Thakur phone: 250-756-2652 Nanaimo, BC e-mail: [email protected]

 Joyce Morrison phone: 250-248-5914 Parksville, BC e-mail: [email protected]