By Francis Kamara
There’s a saying that leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower and educate others. The Chief Executive Officer of Izelia Textile and Garments Factory, Mrs. Isatu Harrison, has taken the concept to a whole new level by creating an international platform that will empower youths and individuals with special talent in Gara tie-dying.
In partnership with the Aurora Foundation (an Icelandic foundation based in Freetown), and the University of Arts in Iceland, staff of Izelia Textile and Garments factory have ended a professional training alongside students from the University of Arts in Iceland.
The project is funded by Eramus, a European entity that helps promote cultural diversity. The training program in Gara tie-dying and colouring which started almost a month ago, is an empowerment project for young people that specialize in teaching about Gara tie-dying and the use of colours.
The Izelia Textile and Garments Factory located at 11 Bolling Street, Kingtom in Freetown, is specialized in textile design, embroidery, corporate wears, school uniforms, and Gara tie-dye.
The Aurora Foundation is poised to be the dynamic catalyst in development and culture, by executing projects which provide a strong and permanent boost to communities. It focuses mainly on empowering youths from different fields – ranging from tailoring, architecture, fishing, etc.
In an interview with Kamilla Henriau, a student from the University of Arts in Iceland, she expressed her delight and acknowledged that it is a wonderful experience for her to be able to share her ideas with her colleagues in Sierra Leone. Despite the difference in culture, she added that, the trainees have been very cooperative and eager to learn, as they have little or no idea on what they are being trained on. She added that she applied for the internship program from their University in Iceland and is part of the first set of students that were given the opportunity by the Aurora Foundation to come to Sierra Leone. According to Kamilla Henriau, Sierra Leone is the first African country to have been given the opportunity of having such a training of high standard which incorporates foreign trainees as well. She mentioned that the experience she has received in Sierra Leone so far has been very instructive, because even though she has gotten used to working with technological tools, the local trainees are gifted at getting work done using their bare hands, which she added is very interesting.
Gudrun Kolbeinsdottir, another trainee from Iceland, expressed her appreciation for being part of the project. She said in an interview that the experience has been massive and positive not only because of the lectures they have been given, but that they have also learnt very much from the trainers. She reaffirmed that the trainers are experts specializing in pattern designs and colours, and are imparting this knowledge to the trainees so they know how to apply what they are taught so that their knowledge in fashion designing is extended.
She went on to say that this training program is not only meant to teach young people about colouring, but how to create a new energy and to empower them to move out of their comfort zones and create something beautiful and magnificent that can leave a landmark in the country.
The leader of the trainees, Mr. Abdul Rahman Sillah, who is a specialist in Gara tie-dying acknowledged the wonderful gesture of the Aurora Foundation and the University of Arts in Iceland. He thanked the CEO of the Izelia Textile and Garments Factory, for providing this golden opportunity. He added that it is a blessing only for him, but for the rest of his colleagues, as this opportunity has helped them learn new skills and techniques on how to go about creating new designs in Gara tie-dying. He mentioned that he previously had a specific pattern in his designs, but with the fresh knowledge he has acquired these few weeks, he is now well equipped with vast ideas on Gara tie-dying. He said the experience is great and he is delighted to work with the team, adding that many people in the country are looking forward to securing such opportunity.
Mrs. Yeama Lavalie, said she joined the project last year and has been helping the factory in the area of Gara tie-dying. She expressed her delight and affirmed that she is very happy to work with the team from Iceland as experiences and ideas are shared between the two sides. She added that Gara tie-dying has been her occupation for over seven years, and that this is the first time in her career she has been introduced to new set of skills, adding that she is grateful for this.
Isata Kamara, a beneficiary from the Gara tie-dying project was in a very happy mood, saying, this is a dream come true for her. She added that she has been practicing Gara tie-dying for over four years but with the international training she has received from the Icelandic team, her skills have been toned and she can now do much more than before.
She thanked the trainers for doing a great job at refreshing their memories on skills they might have forgotten and for teaching them new set of skills; like the mixing of different colours and other skills. She said that as long as they have the relevant materials, they would impress the trainers.
She mentioned that the only challenge they have been faced with so far, is that some of the trainees have never been in the field of Gara tie-dying. She explained that it takes time for them to adapt to the necessary skill sets required for them to learn. She however mentioned that despite the fact that many of the trainees are new to Gara tie-dying, they are also fast learners and are really adapting to the learning process.
This project is also aimed at creating job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans, as well as connecting Sierra Leone and Iceland in terms of culture and products.
