The Sewing Machine Project considers limited partnerships with US-based groups that have international connections.
The Sewing Machine Project does not currently initiate any international shipments of sewing machines.
Some of our past work includes:
Sri Lanka
Our very first initiative, the Sewing Machine Project sent 25 sewing machines to orphanages in Sri Lanka in 2005, following the 2004 tsunami. These machines offered the children a tool to learn a trade and the caretakers a tool to make clothing for the children.
Mexico
We have donated machines to the ranchos La Joya and La Cruz del Palmar in San Miguel de Allende in the central highlands of Mexico. Up to 84 women work out of the cooperative, sewing goods to sell and support themselves.
Kosovo
In 2009 we delivered 19 machines to Skenderaj, Kosovo. 16 of these machines were donated by Bernina, International of Steckborn, Switzerland. The Antigona NGO of Skenderaj uses the machines for custom garment sewing as well as to train new sewers to employ in their NGO.
India
We shipped machines to the Apne Aap group in New Delhi, India in 2012. Apne Aap means “on our own” and this fine organization empowers young women by teaching sewing skills so that they will have a reliable source of income to keep them out of the sex trades.
Liberia
SMP machines have gone to help a women’s technical school which offers a new tailoring program. They graduated their first tailoring class in 2011.
El Salvador
Habitat for Humanity workers hand deliver SMP machines to the “Strengthening the Community” project in the Getsemani Community in Ahuachapan, El Salvador. Sewing students are creating items to sell to support their families.
Guatemala
In 2013 we shipped 83 machines to Panajachel, Guatemala. Since then, we have worked with a number of groups, hand carrying machines to Guatemala.
