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Change the world with your steps._

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The Mayamiko Trust Fashion Lab provides training in sewing and tailoring to marginalised women, many of whom are in some way affected by the HIV pandemic. We asked marginalised women in the community in Malawi what we could do to improve their life and that of their children. The answer was: teach us to sew! So the Mayamiko Trust Fashion Lab was born. With your support we can reach more women, and support them as they lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. Women are disadvantaged from birth: fewer girls attend school and move on to secondary education than boys; girls and women carry the heavy load of child and family care. They often enjoy fewer rights than men, and rely on seasonal agricultural work to feed themselves and their children. Malawi also faces increased insecurity due to the impacts of environmental change. We asked women what skills they would find beneficial to give them the tools they needed to lift themselves out of poverty: the answer was tailoring and sewing. These skills are transferable and allow for flexible working, as well as always being in demand. With a desire to learn, a wealth of creative artisanal skills and a need for new opportunities, we saw a chance to build a new place for women to learn and thrive. The Mayamiko Trust Fashion Lab provides training in sewing and tailoring to local women, from pattern reading all the way through to finishing garments. Our trainees can also join supplementary educational program covering jewellery making, literacy, maths, life skills, business and computing. When training is complete, the women are free to join our fair trade fashion workshop as apprentice, helping to make beautiful items that can be bought all over the world. They receive a nutritious meal a day and can take their babies to be looked after while they learn. All graduates then have the opportunity to take out a grant to fund the purchase of a sewing machine, helping them start their own business.