Tailoring
as a social enterprise
September 2022
The Covid-19 crisis had already caused a sharp increase in the prices of raw materials and food. The war in Ukraine has only increased costs further. As a result of these rising materials costs, we are no longer able to cover the costs of the social enterprises and have been forced to stop Tailoiring as a social enterprise. We have discussed this change with our sponsors, who have expressed their understanding and support. Together with us, they will look at how they can remain connected to Mineke Foundation.
In our vocational training Tailoring, women and teenagers learn a vocational skill that they can use to earn their own money and become economically independent.
Liberia has a large market for made-to-order clothing and much of this clothing is handmade. Custom made clothing is worn at special events and all schools, choirs and associations have their own uniforms. In addition, Mineke Foundation will be able to serve as its own launching customer by commissioning uniforms for our vocational training courses and the Damiefa School (our other project).
In 2009, Mineke Foundation started providing vocational skills training for unskilled and low-skilled residents. We are currently transitioning this into a social enterprise. Our Tailoring social enterprise teaches our trainees how to make and repair clothing, gives them work experience and teaches them how to be entrepreneurs. Mineke Foundation’s goal is for our graduates to become economically independent.
Your support
Our work focuses on developing personal initiative, responsibility and self-reliance. That is why we always ask our trainees to make a small financial contribution. Our ambition is to have the Tailoring social enterprise generate sufficient income to break even within 5 to 7 years.
At the moment, our additional training costs are EUR 250 per trainee per year. This amount lets you support a woman or teenage girl’s personal development and path to economic independence.
You’ll be making a real difference in someone’s life!
We believe that it is important for our trainees to learn the trade by using the materials and tools that they themselves use, for example, at home which they can easily buy. This means: all our equipment and tools must be readily available in Liberia.
The below budget was prepared by our team in Liberia and gives a good overview of all the items we need for our vocational training. Unfortunately, the quality of items often leaves much to be desired.
This means that we have to replace them often. We’ve made a conscious decision to buy our equipment and tools in Liberia. This way, we can support local entrepreneurs and multiply our impact. Click on the image to see the entire budget.
Thank you very much, on behalf of all the girls and women who – in part thanks to you – will be able to join our vocational training!
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