Women find motivation, self-esteem in sewing class

IC photo by Christine Young

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The Give Me a Chance Oct. 1 graduates model the dresses they made and talk about what their experience has been like and what they want to do with their new skills. Pabla Saguilan (second from right) was lauded for her sewing ability.

OGDEN — Daughter of Charity Sister Maria Nguyen created a sewing center called Give Me a Chance, to teach women a skill so they can earn a living. After 40 hours of training, they not only learned to sew, they also gained self-confidence and a higher self-esteem.

“This class has motivated me to believe in myself,” said Maricela Romero, who sewed her own wedding dress. “I was able to learn different things, not just about sewing. Sr. Maria has motivated me to maybe go to college. She helped me believe I can do something different with my life. I love sewing and I’ve learned a lot from her. I learned about this class from a flyer at Saint Joseph Parish in Ogden, and have told many others about the class.”

Maria Lorena found out about the class from Romero. She had not sewn for 10 years, and was happy to learn new sewing techniques. She and Romero graduated in July after sewing a nurse uniform they hope to sell.

Sr. Maria has had two groups of women complete her sewing course. Six graduated in July and 12 graduated on Oct. 1. “I have women here who are very creative and talented,” she said. “After 40 hours of training they are able to make their own dresses, children’s clothes and accessories. We have 10 sewing machines and 10 commercial machines. I also taught them to make jewelry.”

Sr. Maria said at first she didn’t think about how the class would affect the women, but the more she worked with them, she realized how equally important building their self-confidence was to their success. “They believed in themselves that they could accomplish something,” she said. “I’m glad to see that result and I am proud of them because before they didn’t believe they could do anything good.”

At the graduation, the women modeled the dresses they made. Pabla Saguilan received the most votes to win a $50 gift certificate to WalMart. Saguilan has cancer and the doctor gave her six months to live. Since she started taking the class her spirits have improved and she has made many new friends. “I was depressed and now I feel happy and good about myself,” she said. “I didn’t know how to sew before this class and now I feel content.”

Leticia Rivera, who had never sewn before made a dress and jacket. “I’m very happy,” she said. “I have a job and was not able to spend as much time sewing as I would have liked to, but I know I can do better with more time.”

Sr. Maria will have an open house boutique on Nov. 12-13 to sell the many items the women have been sewing as well as the jewelry Sr. Maria and her sister, Anna Huong, from Portland, have made. Huong has an associate degree in fashion design and has owned her own manufacturing business. She donated 20,000 yards of material to Give me a Chance and wants to help her sister.

Shawn Beus, executive director and legal counsel of Ogden Reinvestment Corporation, a nonprofit community development lender, offered the women some advice on going into business for themselves. His organization provides small business loans through a micro loan program from $2,000 to $25,000 with a low interest rate. “We congratulate them and hopefully we can help them start businesses,” said Beus.

Give Me a Chance is located at 2620 Washington Blvd. in Ogden. For information, call Sr. Maria, 801-643-1221.