Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust Malawi

Today June 11 Andiamo was paid one of rarest visits of sort by Olipa R. Nyirenda, who graduated from a Tiyende tailoring class of 1998.

Olipa; graduate of Andiamo showcasing her works

“Here is where I got my thrust to go further. I boosted my skills during attachments I have had in Lilongwe in different tailoring shops there. I came by to thank Andiamo Trust that led me the way when it was tough to perceive what future in tailoring beholds for me”. The graduate looks forward to meeting the current students for a motivational talk some time.

“And your success story alone is already an inspiration to us as students and a cooperative” admires Alessandro extolling Olipa’s stopover.

Olipa poses admiring her works

She was hired at St. John of God Tailoring School in Mzuzu from 2003 to 2006. Later she worked with Miracle Technical College as an instructor to 2009 where she stayed for two years. She upgraded her skills and now she makes different designs of clothes ranging from men to women clothing and several other garments.

“Tailoring was ridiculed then, but we still worked hard against the traditional mentality fueled by motivation of our dear teachers Late Mai Phiri and Mai Hussein. Here I am, we sailed through” admits Olipa who by her works of art earns handsomely to support herself and her two children; Mwawi and Maxson.

By Harry Pongolani