Vegamanee Gangadoo

My dream as a dressmaker

The things that I know, I did not develop them because I did not know its importance. When I followed the course at Gender Links (GL), it has helped me to know a lot of things from my friends and also from Mrs Anushka. I have become aware of my potential. In fact, I already had a career at hand which is dress-maker. I could have earned a lot of money with that. But I was working as a maid to earn a little money. I am a married woman with two daughters. I have joined GL in 2014 and I have attended the three phrases. My business plan is to become a great dress-maker but at present, I do not have the means. GL has encouraged me how to take small orders although working with my broken sewing machine. This has helped me to earn additional money apart from the job I am doing: maid. I have a daughter doing her upper secondary exam. I have a lot of tuition fees to pay. This is why I can’t afford to buy a new sewing machine. As soon as she finished her school years, I am planning to buy a new one. This will helped me to take more orders. Thus, I can make more money. During my childhood, I was poor but I have never faced any forms of violence. But when I got married violence in my life has started. My husband always denigrates me and makes me feel good for nothing. It was when my two daughters grow up that I realized that I cannot continue with this situation all the time. He stopped beating me because I am bringing money at home as I am working. Violence has made me live in fear. GL has taught me that I have to voice out my feelings. I have become independent in my career but for my husband, I am worth nothing. He still misbehaves with me. For my two daughters, I am a big person. I have learnt at GL that I can live without relying solely on my husband. Through my own effort, I can make my children grow up. I can become independent. My plan for the future is to be my own boss. I no longer will have to work as a maid. GL has helped me to stand on my feet. And I am grateful for all the moral support that GL gave me. Now I see myself as more strong. I want to say a big thank you to Gender Links for everything they did and that they will do. Gender Links is the best.