There is an old adage that goes, “the right tool for the job makes all the difference,.” yet few know the full saying:“… but knowing which tool to use comes with experience.” This idea resonates with the latest report from the “Push for Sustainability at San Javier del Valle” project in Venezuela.
In addition to much needed repairs to the school’s infrastructure, the project also contributed to another essential improvement that directly impacted the students in the textile education program. The purchase and repair of sewing machines.
This may seem like a small contribution to a multi-year improvement plan, but Mariela Romano, Internship Coordinator at San Javier del Valle Fe y Alegría Institute Educational Unit, explained the significance of these sewing machines.
“As the Internship Coordinator, I am responsible for visiting the companies where our students complete their internships. For some time, I observed that our cutting and sewing department lacked essential machines, such as collar and overlock machines, and that we were behind in incorporating new textile trends like sublimation. Additionally, many of our machines needed maintenance and repair to optimize teaching, learning, and production processes.”
For students learning a new trade, like sewing and other textile skills, having the right tools is essential. Not only will they learn proper techniques and refine their craft, but the improved machines are also safer and more reliable. With more machines available, more students can get hands-on training and bring those skills to their internships.
Mariela continued “We now have enough sewing machines for our students to complete their internships, and we’ve been able to update our machinery, allowing us to integrate new skills that prepare our students for careers in industry or entrepreneurship.”
The products made by students also contribute to the sustainability of the San Javier del Valle educational complex. Revenue generated from selling student-produced goods helps fund other school programs. “We are also grateful that the project provided sufficient raw materials to reactivate production lines for work gowns, panties, and sports uniforms,” Mariela explained, “helping us sustain our visual arts education programs.”
“The right tool for the job makes all the difference but knowing which tool to use comes with experience.” In the Mérida Valley, Venezuela, the right tool is making all the difference. A few new sewing machines provide students with much needed experience in their vocational training, contribute to the sustainability of their school, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities. In the words of Mariela, “Thanks to this support, we are now better equipped to continue providing quality training in the latest trends of the visual arts industry.”
