old hall junior school
Kamonyi Sewing Project
In November 2025, Heather travelled to Llandudno in Wales
to meet a congregation from St David's Methodist Church at
Craig-y-Don.
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The minister of this church, Rev. James Garnett, has worked
with The Goboka Rwanda Trust, having visited Rwanda some
years ago as part of a small group from The Queen's
Foundation College in Birmingham, whilst training for Ministry.
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James took up his new appointment in Wales in 2024 and
found that his congregation would soon be looking for an
overseas charity to support for a 3-year period, and
suggested Goboka to them, which resulted in Heather's visit.
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Several projects were identified, all of which could start in a
small way, but then be built on for the future. After
deliberation, a new Sewing School was chosen for their
support, which will train 15 young unmarried mothers
(aged 15-19) at a time, for a 1-year period. This will offer skills
in tailoring and sewing machine operation.
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It will eventually operate with 10 treadle sewing machines, one button- holer and an overlooker, plus the services of a qualified seamstress to train these young women.
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The project will operate from the PHARP Headquarters in Kamonyi, where they relocated in 2024 as their previous premise suddenly came under a government demolition plan. PHARP now have the space to house the sewing school, which seeks to build the economic independence of the students, their self-esteem and to offer social re-integration, contributing to poverty reduction and gender equality.
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The scheme officially launched in January 2026, and we're pleased to share its progress and updates with you below.
![image1[37762].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4495f3_27abe733c266407ba3ad24df563b7f5b~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_0,y_401,w_1765,h_1111/fill/w_391,h_246,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/image1%5B37762%5D.jpeg)
St. David's Methodist Church Kamonyi Sewing School Fundraising Events Updates:
Church service, Soup lunch & quiz - 26th january 2026
St. David's launched their fundraising with a church service followed by a soup lunch & quiz on the 26th of January. The event raised a fantastic £507.35.
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The Church also launched their programme for the next few months, which is really varied and interesting and certainly offers something for every taste.
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Well done to all those who organised, helped, and supported this event. Thank you again for all you are doing to support us.
