An inherited sewing machine
Karol Vanesa Ramírez Sánchez
NICARAGUA 2020
Karol is 39 years old and a single mother of three children. She lives in the rural community of Apompuá which is located five kilometres from the Vega Baja Social Centre in Diriamba.
Karol did not complete high school and makes her livelihood from sewing, thanks to a pedal sewing machine that she inherited from her mother. With this machine she had been sewing for relatives and close neighbours until a friend of hers, who had participated in a course at Vega Baja, told Karol of the level II sewing course on offer there.
Karol decided to enrol in the level II sewing course at Vega Baja and, as a result, has learnt new sewing techniques including; tools for cutting and sewing & taking correct measurements. As a result, Karol has already begun to professionally make men’s clothing. Since beginning the course and improving the quality of her work, the demand for Karol’s sewing services in the community has increased as she is the only seamstress in the area.
“Thanks to the support I have received from Vega Baja, I have learnt new methods of sewing that have improved my technique. Now I repair clothes and am learning to make new items of clothing every day.”