Stitching Hopes and Dreams: A Story of Women Curtain Makers

BOHOL —- “We’ve recently earned around Php100,000 ($1,800),” Jean, Catagdaan Women’s Association President, proudly shares, looking at other smiling women present in the room, their faces lit with quite pride of what they’ve accomplished.

Who wouldn’t? Their feat started with one sewing machine.

Members of Catagdaan Women’s Association live in a community where work and income for women are scarce. “Either you help in the farm or stay home to care for the children,” Jean, whose husband is currently the village chief, says of the few options for women.

The women’s group started sort of a social club for women in the community doing mostly meetings and paluwagan, an informal savings activity among members.

World Vision saw the potential of the group and helped develop it. “We’ve consulted with them what they wanted to do to help them earn income and do something worthwhile for their community. They suggested they want to do sew materials. So, we gave them an initial capital — a sewing machine and other materials they needed to start their sewing business,” Demetrio Sobrevilla, World Vision Program Officer in Bohol, says.

Through this livelihood program, the women undergo trainings and orientation on how to put up their business. They learned to sew curtains, pillow cases, and tote bags, among others. At first, members accept simple jobs from neighbors such as fixing curtains or sewing eco bags — anything to bring in extra income.

Now the Catagdaan Women’s Association has 8 sewing machines, and 80 active members. They also have assigned roles like cutter and sewer. As the group grew, so did the impact: the women are learning business, marketing, and sewing skills. Most of them are able to contribute in paying household bills or sending their children to school.

“My communications skills have improved as well,” Jean says.

“I earn between Php500 ($9) – Php1,000 ($18) from our sewing business,” Bienvenida, a women’s group member, shares. “I spend it to buy food and provide school allowance for my children and grandchildren.”

Members of Catagdaan Women’s Association are no longer just homemakers — they are now women entrepreneurs. What began as a small livelihood dream had become a growing business. And every time a new order came in, they reminded each other: We are stitching our hopes and dreams for ourselves, our family, and our children. (LRC)