Tinuke, left, was about to resort to prostitution to feed her children before she learned to make and sell clothing at an Operation Blessing sewing center in Nigeria.

OSHOGBO, Nigeria – Vibrant dresses made from multicolored cotton surround Tinuke as she unravels a bolt of patterned cloth. Referring to her measurements, she confidently cuts through the material, then sits down to make the first stitches on her next dress.

For Tinuke, sewing is more than a pastime. It is a lifeline.

Just a short time ago, Tinuke’s future looked bleak. Her husband had abandoned her, leaving her with two small children to care for. With no job prospects and no skills, she relied on friends and family to give what little help they could.

But it was not enough. Tinuke became so destitute she could no longer afford to send her children to school. Before long, she could not even feed them.

Day after day, Tinuke watched in pain as her two young children went hungry. “I cried a lot, I was so miserable seeing my little children suffering like that,” said Tinuke.

Just as she was about to resort to prostitution to be able to feed them, Tinuke found her lifeline.

Operation Blessing had opened a new sewing center in Oshogbo, her small village in southwestern Nigeria. At the center, students were taught how to design, sew, and embroider clothing, and also learning good business principles and how to process orders for clothing.

Over 30 students have graduated from the Oshogbo sewing center, one of several sewing centers started by Operation Blessing in Africa, India and Afghanistan.

“I was initially hesitant because I thought I was too old to be taught anything new, especially now that I was a mother of two children,” Tinuke admitted.

Tinuke learned how to design clothes, take measurements and cut patterns. She started sewing for friends and family, selling her designs and making enough money to finally give her children the food and care they needed.

Tinuke’s designs became so popular, she soon saved enough money to buy her own sewing machine, and after graduating from OBI’s sewing center, she continued sewing from home.

From a place of helplessness and despair, Tinuke has grown into a confident, successful businesswoman. Now, people come from all over the village to have her make clothing for them. In fact, she can barely keep up with the demand.

To date, over 30 students have graduated from the Oshogbo sewing center, one of several sewing centers started by Operation Blessing in Africa, India and Afghanistan. Like Tinuke, many graduates go on to set up their own businesses, making a variety of items such as cushion covers, embroidered bedspreads, shoes, bags and more.

“I have been tremendously blessed through Operation Blessing,” said Tinuke. “Finally, I can provide for my children and afford to send both of them to school. Thank you, Operation Blessing!”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2010 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.