Cape Town - Four students were this week given a new lease on life when they completed a basic sewing skills class in Muizenberg, courtesy of Berg of Hope.
Berg of Hope is a non-profit organisation founded by Ayesha Alexander earlier this year with the hope of giving the homeless and unemployed an opportunity to gain new skills that would help them improve their circumstances and lift them from their dire situation.
On Wednesday, Berg of Hope held a graduation ceremony for four students who had completed their basic sewing skills class.
Berg of Hope came to be after Alexander had given some money to a homeless woman while driving through Muizenberg.
“My daughter said, ‘mommy, money only feeds the homeless for a day’ and that’s when it hit me. I knew I had to do more. I had a vision that I would be able to give something to the homeless that would give them so much more,” said Alexander.
Alexander has been cooking for the homeless and working with welfare organisations such as U-turn for a long time, but this year she realised that she could give the homeless much more hope.
“I went home and thought about it. I prayed about it, and I told my husband that there was something I could do with my background, but I didn’t know exactly what at first. I thought to myself that I come from a poor background with only a Standard 5 education,” said Alexander.
“Eventually it hit me. I worked in the clothing industry all my life. I started out as a cotton cutter and continued to work in quality for many years.”
Alexander decided that she would offer free sewing lessons to the homeless and unemployed and give them hope and a chance to earn a living. She contacted her friend and former colleague, Jessica Lewis, with the hope that she would join Berg of Hope as a teacher. Lewis happily agreed.
Classes are held from Monday to Thursday and Berg of Hope currently has 16 students enrolled. The NPO has been funded by Alexander and her husband’s private funds, with donations from friends, family and other contributors at times.
They also provide sandwiches, tea and coffee for students.
Mimie Citengo, 22, is the youngest of the four students to have graduated from Berg of Hope’s training programme. She has dreams to become a designer and recalled how she tried to apply for a professional designer course but was told it would cost R30 000, which she couldn’t afford.
Citengo made her own dress for the graduation ceremony on Wednesday and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities offered by Berg of Hope.
Citengo’s mother, Stella Mangituka Landu, also graduated from the programme.
Jina Bwanga Malanda, a mother of two young children, explained that before she joined Berg of Hope’s training programme she had been feeling like she knew nothing and had no means of providing for her children.
“I was thinking that I need to do something for my kids, because I knew nothing. But now I can work on the machine, and I say thank you to God, and to Mama Ayesha and Mama Jessica,” said Malanda.
Rachel Dikwana Ndelo, also a mother of two, graduated from the programme and said that Alexander made her feel welcome from the very first day.
“When I first met Mama Ayesha it was like I knew her for a long time. She is our blessing. Since we started, she never even asked for R1. I was so scared to sit at the machine and (that I would) break the needles, but Mama Ayesha and Mama Jessica helped us. They have big hearts.
“They didn’t only give us a job but they’ve given us a life,” said Rachel Dikwana Ndelo, another graduate.
The graduates have learnt to sew place mats, pillow cases, oven gloves and pot holders. Alexander sourced labels for their finished products which they have been able to sell at St James Catholic Church’s Sunday market.
Berg of Hope has also supplied skirts for learners at Capricorn Primary School whose parents cannot afford to purchase school uniforms.
“I hope to start a production line and provide employment from the training school that will be able to pay a salary to students once they have qualified. That would also assist the organisation in becoming more sustainable,” said Alexander.
Alexander has big hopes for the future of the organisation and her students whom she hopes will all be able to earn a living for themselves and their families.
To contribute to Berg of Hope, contact Ayesha Alexander on 060 915 1367 or email [email protected]. Bank details for Berg of Hope are as follows: ABSA Current account number 4104661407, Branch code 632005.