Stitch for a Living

Legazpi-Mayon Quotarians launched their Stitch for a Living program, which proved that a single piece of equipment has the power to transform the lives of an entire family. Deaf and hard-of-hearing women in the program learn to sew loungewear, pajamas, curtains, pillowcases, and other items to sell in local stores, earning a wage and developing the skills to gain employment. After a year in the program, they have the opportunity to earn their own machines which, in combination with the skills they have learned, provides a key to economic independence.

The women in the program are from the Bicol region, one of the Philippines' poorest areas. Families are typically large (five to seven members), and most residents obtain only elementary or high school diplomas. Farming and handouts are the primary sources of income. This economic crisis is especially devastating for speech- and hearing-impaired women, who are considered by society to be unskilled and unemployable.

Sewing Provides a Living Wage
The Stitch for a Living program corrects these misconceptions, showing the public that with adequate training and equipment, these women can make valuable contributions to society. The 10 participants earn a wage significantly higher than the average for domestic help in their first year; upon purchasing their sewing machines, their income doubles and further increases as their skills improve.

Stitch for a Living is partially sustained by the sale of items produced and sold, but Quota International of Legazpi-Mayon needs Club-to-Club donations to fund the remainder of the program and to increase its capacity to reach more women. Donations will be used for sewing machines, fabric, packaging, and electricity and water for the facility where participants work.

• If you wish to donate to this project, please click here.
  
  
• To read about Legazpi-Mayon's 2006 Club-to-Club accomplishments, click here.
  

• To learn more about the Philippines, click here.
  
  
• To return to the Club-to-Club World Service page,
  click here.