Program aiming at modernising the pedagogical tools of Tundama centre

		Liliana BUITRAGO - Person in charge of the sewing workshop Sector : Vocational Training                      Location : Bogota, Colombia Local Partner : Corporacion Centro Tundama Start of Partnership : 1998

«A life-enriching experience»

"I started working in Tundama three years ago. At the time, the project had barely started. I am now in charge of the sewing workshop inside Tundama high school. The project has been a precious opportunity and a life-enriching experience in several ways: intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and socially. I have acquired several abilities thanks to the SENA (Servicio Nacional del Aprendizage), among others: designing, using new production techniques and equipments, organising an industrial production process and the pedagogical techniques needed in order to pass on knowledge to the students. This project has also allowed me to improve my personal situation because of the stable financial resources."

«In charge of training 70 students»

"As a fashion designer, I have been able to appreciate the benefits which are offered to the Tundama students by their school on a daily basis.
The sewing workshop plays several roles in this process: it gives the students professional training, it creates employment opportunities for the mothers and it has an impact on the financial viability of the region. The workshop promotes the high school as a whole throughout the region. I am in charge of training the high school classes in technical sewing skills. The training has been validated by the SENA, thus allowing the students to access more advanced sewing training. The classes have attracted many students.
I am now in charge of training 70 students, but I am limited by a lack of equipment, having only 11 sewing machines at my disposal."

«Like a real company»

"I have to make the sewing workshop work like a real company: customers have to be searched, the workshop has to be able to respond to our incoming orders etc. Several mothers are employed in the workshop and the students can also participate in the sewing process, allowing them to make some money.
We receive many orders, mostly company uniforms (restaurants etc.) but also university and school uniforms. The quality of the production has been certified by the SENA. Since it is improving the standard of living for the young girls as well as for their mothers, the sewing workshop supports the objective of Tundama high school, which states: “Educating women equals educating families and thus building a society”."