WFWP Afghanistan Sewing Scholarship Project

Written by: Sania Feda Taj

WFWP Afghanistan has been holding a scholarship program for qualified Afghan women living in New Delhi, India as refugees. The program consists of a six-month sewing course as the first step. Through this program, they learn the basics of sewing meeting daily with a trained professional. Upon graduation, the women are eligible for a design course which is also six months. Here they learn how to design their own patterns and prepare to create their own clothes.

This program is offered to young Afghan women who are desperately trying to improve their financial situation in a difficult situation. Most of the girls we select have attended a school that was started by WFWP Afghanistan in 1996, the Said Jamaluddin Afghan School. The Indian government does not offer opportunities for these women and WFWP is one of the only organizations that provide education and skills training. Afghan refugees have been staying in India for decades and there is very little support. The Afghan women's dream is to relocate but this only happens to a select few and certainly not for young, uneducated women.

On August 1, we held a graduation ceremony for the students who completed the sewing course at the Academy of Fashion. Graduate students were very excited and happy about the occasion. In addition to Mrs. Sania Feda Taj, Mrs. Yamanoi from WFWP her daughter, Ms. Yoshie Yamanoi, and Ms. Meena were present. Amazing gifts from WFWP Japan were distributed to the ten graduate students. Refreshments were served from the Academy.