“Sewing is important because it is a very good job. [We want] to teach one another and pass along what we’ve learned [in this class].”
“The church is a safe place to learn and share.”
“We like coming so we can learn to make something pretty and new.”
Umoja (named after the Swahili word for “togetherness”) is a multi-ethnic sewing class community, where African and Haitian refugees are learning sewing skills to financially provide for their families and other immigrant refugees living in Nashville.
All skill levels are welcome! Beginners will have the opportunity to learn foundational sewing skills, while students with prior experience will learn more complex techniques and develop functional skills for the home and community. Students will also have the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills as they learn to both make and sell simple, marketable products.
Through the ministry the ladies of the Umoja sewing class hope to continue to build upon their skills and eventually teach others how to sew, as well as gain a sense of empowerment through their accomplishments and friendships built in the classroom.
Join us for class on Fridays at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene from 11:00am-1:00pm – no registration required.
For more information, please contact:
Danelle Pate: email danellepate@bellsouth.net
