Promoting skills development

The MIHS sewing team, clockwise from left: Faleala Mae, Raine Kabinmeto, Ester Thomas, Heslina Kerong, Andrea deBrum, Kimiko Mista, Pearlina Jajo and Utoane Teniu. At back standing from left: Celista Namto and Jola Lejer. Photo: Hilary Hosia.
The MIHS sewing team, clockwise from left: Faleala Mae, Raine Kabinmeto, Ester Thomas, Heslina Kerong, Andrea deBrum, Kimiko Mista, Pearlina Jajo and Utoane Teniu. At back standing from left: Celista Namto and Jola Lejer. Photo: Hilary Hosia.

HILARY HOSIA

For the past many years, Marshall Islands High School has operated a practicum course for qualified seniors, where students join the normal nine-to-five workforce whether it’s at Majuro hospital, Robert Reimers Enterprises or Majuro Do It Best.

But for instructor Utoane Teniu and her 13 sewing students, one seamstress shop wasn’t enough — Teniu placed her students in three different sewing shops: DAR in Uliga, Tailoring Shop in Small Island and Miss Faleala Mae’s personal shop in Rita.

For eight weeks, the girls were exposed to experienced tailoring and seamstress work on a Monday to Thursday after-school schedule.

“We’re confident enough to help complete Christmas dresses,” the girls told the Journal.

Teacher Teniu praised the girls for their hard work, adding that sewing skills are very important to the younger generation and one that parents should support for their children who show interest in the trade.

The girls and their teachers celebrated eight weeks of fun and learning with light snacks at their sewing homeroom on campus last Friday.

Read more about this in the May 25, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.