The teacher was on the spot - Amida Akhalaia. Much can be said about this young woman: she was the first to receive full funding as a graduate living in the conflict zone. She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Academy of Art, but is still studying. She is professional in the specialty of cutting and sewing. She learned to work on polymer clay, carving on wood. Now he is taking a course in wall painting inTsalenjikha Professional College "Lakada"... She has two children. She is an only child herself. The parents live in Saberio, Abkhazia. This village borders Tskhoushi and Amida often crosses the "border" made by the war between the two villages of Georgia.
The daughter –in-law of Pakhulani started teaching with all her heart. Lessons were held three times a week. It was interesting and fun for women to start a new business. They learned to take measurements, cut, sew, work on a machine. Conversations with a psychologist and a lawyer were conducted, training on the topic of marketing was held. Amida has her own page https://www.facebook.com/amiakhalaia and sells handicrafts online. Of course, she also talked to the students about this form of selling, which appeared to be quite productive during pandemic period.
The three-month training of cutting and sewing courses was finished at the end of January. On the final day, miniature works were exhibited: dresses, pants, skirts, shirts, linens. More: beautiful collars, cloth bags, hairpins...
There were guests - from the local government, school, outpatient clinic and, of course, the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
- These courses are a good motivation for our women, - said village doctor Nestan Gogokhia. She has been working in Pakhulani for 22 years. She was a member of the City Council, she is well aware of the needs of the village and is happy that there are young women in the village who not only sew things for the family, but also think about income.
All six graduates were awarded with certificates. Everyone has their own plan on how to use this business to have income. Guranda is going to sew curtains, Dariko and Zhana will work on the linens, and both Sophia will work hairpins.
And…
Soon a new group of women will start studying sewing at the Day Rehabilitation Center in Pakhulani.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)