Sewing machines bring hope and confidence to women
Margarita, 47, her husband Artush and their three children were evacuated to Belarus. Their eldest son David who was only four at that time was diagnosed with: glaucoma and lost vision in one eye.
The family returned to Armenia exhausted and disappointed, finding themselves on the street. The Government provided them with a wagon as a temporary shelter… though it was home for ten long years.
“Ten years in a metal wagon was almost unbearable. There was not enough space; it was extremely cold in winter and hot in summer. But still it was not our major problem. David underwent surgery and instead of returning the sight of the eye, he lost the second”, shares Margarita with pain in her eyes.
...All I had to do was to struggle To somehow earn a living for the family and cover the expenses of David’s treatment, his father Artush left for Russia. Because of his skilful hands Artush was able to secure various jobs. One day he was repairing cars, the other day working on construction. During that period David underwent another five operations.
“The operations were in vain. My husband didn’t manage to bear all that and after one of failed surgeries Artush had a stroke and died, leaving me alone with three children. All I had to do was to struggle”, remembers Margarita barely holding her tears.
Margarita did any job she could find in order to feed her children. Thankfully, the extended family provided a great deal of support and Margarita’s burden eased when the Government gave her an apartment as a single mother of three children.
Gyumri was an industrial centre before the earthquake and there were several factories that specialised in textiles. During the Soviet period Margarita worked in one of these factories and simultaneously attended sewing classes to improve her skills and to understand how sewing machines operated.
“When I heard that Mush Centre had received sewing machines from World Vision I thought it is my chance. I woke up early in the morning and went to Mush Centre to ask for a job. Though I had doubts in my skills after long years I still decided to try. I was so excited when they accepted me in the team”, says Margarita.
We have received the machines as a gift and have to use them for the sake of children who attend our centre by providing an opportunity to their parents Mush Child Development Centre received six machines from World Vision. Margarita has worked on these machines from the very first day. Initially, Margarita focused on making items for the centre. She then began to do alterations of old clothing for a few clients. Little by little she remembered how to use the equipment and after gaining some credibility as a seamstress, Margarita started to receive more serious orders. Now she is sewing bed-clothes for kindergarten children for their afternoon naptime.
“The earning has not been great so far. But I am enthusiastic; I like the job and my colleagues. The management of Mush Centre wants to arrange training for parents of children with difficulties. I will lead the class. We have space, machines, and willingness to be able to take large orders”, says Margarita.
Margarita is working alongside parents of children with difficulties to help them improve their skills.
“We will conduct training for parents at no charge. We have received the machines as a gift and have to use them for the sake of children who attend our centre by providing an opportunity to their parents”, says Anna Sahakyan, the Director of Mush Centre.
Now David attends narrative computer classes and due to his excellent performance he will soon be awarded a computer. Mush Centre needs a computer expert and David knows he will be paid very soon and will support Margarita in her work and training.
“Sewing machines brought confidence to me. Bleak and hopeless days are in the past, I am sure. I will pass my knowledge to other women. It is a skill that always can be of need”, says Margarita.
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The family returned to Armenia exhausted and disappointed, finding themselves on the street. The Government provided them with a wagon as a temporary shelter… though it was home for ten long years.
“Ten years in a metal wagon was almost unbearable. There was not enough space; it was extremely cold in winter and hot in summer. But still it was not our major problem. David underwent surgery and instead of returning the sight of the eye, he lost the second”, shares Margarita with pain in her eyes.
...All I had to do was to struggle To somehow earn a living for the family and cover the expenses of David’s treatment, his father Artush left for Russia. Because of his skilful hands Artush was able to secure various jobs. One day he was repairing cars, the other day working on construction. During that period David underwent another five operations.
“The operations were in vain. My husband didn’t manage to bear all that and after one of failed surgeries Artush had a stroke and died, leaving me alone with three children. All I had to do was to struggle”, remembers Margarita barely holding her tears.
Margarita did any job she could find in order to feed her children. Thankfully, the extended family provided a great deal of support and Margarita’s burden eased when the Government gave her an apartment as a single mother of three children.
Gyumri was an industrial centre before the earthquake and there were several factories that specialised in textiles. During the Soviet period Margarita worked in one of these factories and simultaneously attended sewing classes to improve her skills and to understand how sewing machines operated.
“When I heard that Mush Centre had received sewing machines from World Vision I thought it is my chance. I woke up early in the morning and went to Mush Centre to ask for a job. Though I had doubts in my skills after long years I still decided to try. I was so excited when they accepted me in the team”, says Margarita.
We have received the machines as a gift and have to use them for the sake of children who attend our centre by providing an opportunity to their parents Mush Child Development Centre received six machines from World Vision. Margarita has worked on these machines from the very first day. Initially, Margarita focused on making items for the centre. She then began to do alterations of old clothing for a few clients. Little by little she remembered how to use the equipment and after gaining some credibility as a seamstress, Margarita started to receive more serious orders. Now she is sewing bed-clothes for kindergarten children for their afternoon naptime.
“The earning has not been great so far. But I am enthusiastic; I like the job and my colleagues. The management of Mush Centre wants to arrange training for parents of children with difficulties. I will lead the class. We have space, machines, and willingness to be able to take large orders”, says Margarita.
Margarita is working alongside parents of children with difficulties to help them improve their skills.
“We will conduct training for parents at no charge. We have received the machines as a gift and have to use them for the sake of children who attend our centre by providing an opportunity to their parents”, says Anna Sahakyan, the Director of Mush Centre.
Now David attends narrative computer classes and due to his excellent performance he will soon be awarded a computer. Mush Centre needs a computer expert and David knows he will be paid very soon and will support Margarita in her work and training.
“Sewing machines brought confidence to me. Bleak and hopeless days are in the past, I am sure. I will pass my knowledge to other women. It is a skill that always can be of need”, says Margarita.
-Ends-
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