The Gaddi Women's Self-Help Society

Tailoring Schools

The man is a professional tailor, teaching the teachers for the tailoring schools.

It started with a conversation about how useful it was to know how to sew and how expensive it was and how far it was to the nearest place where one could learn. (It is a one hour walk, followed by a one hour bus trip, one way.) The Gaddi Women's Self-Help Society decided to open their own tailoring school in Dharmkot. There was a potential teacher in the village, Vrikma Devi. She had learned the profession when she was only 12 years old, and is now the local resource. She is knowledgeable in modern fashion as well in the craft of traditional Gaddi dresses, wedding dresses, and men's outfits.

There are three tailoring schools, one in Dharmkot village in Isabelle's home, one in Baal, a very remote hamlet, and the newest in Naddi. (See the links for pictures and information about each school.)

     What and How Students Are Taught

In order to know the skill of cutting, one has to learn to count, make drafts, take measurements, understand geometry, be able to use a ruler and pen, and to sew with the machines. They must also learn hand work, hand embroidery, and hand stitching. During the training the women are also encouraged to learn to practice the skill professionally. To that end, they need to read and write and make use of basic arithmetic. Tailoring skills taught to students are illustrated here.

They established rules, in order to run the school on their own, while Isabelle returned to France to earn money so she could continue her volunteer work. The rules stated the obligations of the students, the teacher, and the Gaddi Women's Self-Help Society, and set the curriculum and the number of hours of class per week.

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