Sewing school, Rwanda

St David’s are raising money for a sewing school in Rwanda in partnership with Goboka Rwanda Trust.

In November 2025, Heather travelled to Llandudno to meet the congregation at St David’s. Rev Garnett has previously worked with the Goboka Rwanda Trust, having visited Rwanda some years ago as part of a small group visit from The Queen's Foundation while training for ministry.

Rev Garnett took up his new appointment here in North Wales in 2024 and found that the congregation at St David’s, Craig-y-Don, were looking for an overseas charity to support over a three-year period. He suggested Goboka to them, which resulted in Heather’s visit.

Several small projects were identified, all of which could begin modestly and then be developed further in the future. After careful discussion, it was decided that a sewing school would be established to train 15 young unmarried mothers (aged 15–19) at a time over a one-year period. The training will provide skills in tailoring and sewing machine operation.

The sewing school will eventually operate with 10 treadle sewing machines, a buttonholer, an overlocker, and the support of a qualified seamstress who will train the young women.

The project will operate from the PHARP headquarters in Kamonyi, where the organisation relocated in 2024 after their previous premises unexpectedly became subject to a demolition plan. PHARP now has the space to house the sewing school, which seeks to build the students’ economic independence, improve self-esteem, encourage social reintegration, and contribute to poverty reduction and gender equality.

May 2026

How is our Kamonyi Project at St David's going?

Heather from the Goboka Trust UK has heard of the results of our four months of fundraising  that was launched in January this year.

Heather says, "Please do thank your congregation- to think that they have raised £1000 in such a short space of time shows such commitment and love!I am so proud of them and thankful to them."

Yes just over £1000!

There has now been real progress on the Sewing School Project to share with you all. Exciting and heartening ....

Ten teen mothers have shown an  interest. Sewing has been introduced to them as vocational training already, as well as basic training on sexual and reproductive health.

Gilbert, on the ground in Rwanda, is ready to receive the first of our fundraising donations of £1000 so that the Sewing School Project can get off the ground. The scheme can now launch officially in May  with fifteen students as planned.

The Goboka Trust will update us with photos of the building, the machines and equipment so that we can watch things develop right from the start here in Wales.

Gilbert has sent us this personal message: "This is wonderful news! Please pass our deep gratitude to the Church...for their generous support. The £1000 will make a huge difference and means we can now confidently launch the scheme in May and keep on trusting God for His provision throughout the implementation of this Sewing Project."

Exciting news as well!

Heather has sent a  delivery of handmade, stitched goods/ merchandise from Rwanda that will be on sale at our future fundraising events.

These will include a new supply  of different- sized giraffes and elephants that have already been so loved , as well as aprons and shopping bags.Look out for them! Grab one while you can!

A big thank you to all who have supported so far and we hope to see you soon at our next Fundraising Events!

Onwards and upwards!

May 16th- Quiz Night at St David's with Denise Creed and light refreshments.

June 13th- Garden Party and the £5 Challenge...details to follow!

The Kamonyi Sewing Project Team

St David's

The scheme was launched in January 2026, and we look forward to sharing updates on its progress in the months ahead.