Morceau par Morceau – Mali Project
Kayes Region Training Program Proposal
June 2006

Objectives

• To provide a learning centre for women to acquire new skills.
• To provide an opportunity to earn future income as well as develop one’s creativity.
• To contribute to the community of tailors and sewers and support the development of Kayes as a centre for sewing.

Opportunities

• There are a large number of women without education and/or training who are looking for a way to earn a living.
• The church, St. Pierre Claver has an available space, 15 tables, 6 sewing machines, water, and electricity for the learning centre.
• The church is willing to manage any funds that may be available for the start up phase.
• Beautiful African fabric scraps are readily available from the many tailors in Kayes at reasonable prices.
• There is some funding for the start up phase from Canadian sources.
• Support is available to teach the techniques of patchwork.
• There is a potential for this project to grow into one that provides employment for a number of people.
• Can contribute to the development of Kayes as a centre for sewing and not seen as competing with local enterprises.

Challenges

• Finding a skilled sewer with teaching and leadership abilities.
• Ensuring that students who sign up want to be creative and learn new skills.
• Developing a model for sustainability and marketing of goods.
• Maintaining flow of supplies.
• Establishing mechanism for conflict resolution and problem solving as the project unfolds.
• Develop and conduct an effective evaluation for the project.

Partnership

The project’s partnerships will probably develop further as the project unfolds. In this early phase, the project is a partnership between Sister Eugenie Dena, Karen Bays and Geoff Dunkley, Canadians living in Kayes. Karen and Geoff also have support and interest from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Budget

Registration Fee

A small registration fee will be charged (for purposes of sustainability and participant commitment). These funds will be held in a contingency fund for unexpected expenses or new opportunities.

In Kind Donations

Space, furnishings, machines, promotion, accounting support, and project team participation from the Sisters at St. Pierre Claver.
Project coordination and teaching support from Karen Bays.
Advisory support from Geoff Dunkley and Therese Diallo.

DRAFT Expenses

Based on 2 classes of 6 people in each class meeting three half days each week for ten weeks, plus one half day workshop per week each session. Three ten-week sessions per year. (Approx: Sept – mid Nov; Jan –mid March; April – mid June)

Note: this budget is based on the lowest cost to launch the project. Should additional funds be available, they will be used to support participants with additional materials and be placed in fund for unexpected expenses or future sustainability efforts.

TOTAL for start up phase: 897,000 cfa ($1,794 Can)