Sandy Bonds Visits MATC Fall of 2025

 

I am Sandy Bonds, a Board member and retired costume designer. My husband, Joseph Gilg, a Makindu volunteers, and I, journeyed to Makindu Advanced Training College October 26-November 9, 2025. We had visited before in 2022 and were excited to return. I came prepared to share in teaching sewing and pattern techniques with resident instructors Dorcas Mutokaa and Grace., I also planned to suggest new projects for the students to construct to sell in the new store building built with funds from Makindu Vocational Program donors.

 

 

 

When we arrived, we discovered it was break time in the term and most of the students were away. Because the group of single mothers live too far away to travel, they were the only ones still on campus. In a lucky stroke of coincidence, a Eugene supporter, Jane Flanaghan, had found a bin of pre-cut quilt squares at a yard sale and donated it, so we had an instant project. With a brief introduction, the students each started making a quilt for their child. They started with plotting the placement of their squares and then beginning to sew. The students were so excited they stayed late and arrived early to finish their projects.

 

 

 

Since my last residency, a new covered patio extension had been built adjacent to the sewing classroom. There were two new tables at the right height for cutting, so more students could watch as the patterning took place.

 

 

 

When the rest of the students arrived, we shifted to making items for the store, I came prepared with some patterns to be made in quantity: a folding shopping bag, a halter top, a tunic shirt, a hat, and two styles of jackets. In addition, Dorcas and Grace drafted unique garments; another style of tunic top, a wrap dress, some shirts, and an A-line. Here are Dorcas and Grace flanking students in the halter tops.

 

 

 

Here are some of the one-of-a-kind items. The fabrics on sale in Africa are bold and joyous in an astonishing range of colors and patterns.

 

 

 

 

And I received my badge on the uniform shirt they had made for me on the first visit.

 

 

 

When shopping for fabric in town, Dorcas and I met two graduates who had been students when I was there before. They recognized the fabric on the bag I was carrying as they had been a part of that project. These grads both have jobs in Makindu tailoring and dressmaking shops.

 

 

This is a student who was currently on her attachment, or internship, for two months at the end of her second year. She designed and sewed the complicated top she was wearing and was finishing these bespoke trousers for a male customer. Both we meticulously sewn.

 

 

These two below are graduates and I think they had their own shops. I have asked Dorcas to identify them and describe their jobs.

 

At the end of their stay, we organized a farewell party. The students each enjoyed a special lunch of rice pilaf, a muffin, and a can of soda. Then they put on a show of tribal dancing before bidding us a fond farewell.