Sylvia Turns a Tailoring Dream into a Source of Income

Each morning, Sylvia begins her day with the steady sound of her sewing machine. As the needle moves rapidly through colorful pieces of fabric, Sylvia carefully guides the material with her hands, turning it into dresses, skirts and other garments for her customers. The sound fills her workspace and signals the start of another day of earning an income and building a more secure future.

For the 21-year-old from Machinga District, the sewing machine represents more than a source of income. It is the result of a long-held dream and an opportunity to move beyond the uncertainty she experienced as a rice farmer.

After completing her Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations (MSCE) in 2022, Sylvia did not proceed to university. Instead, she turned to rice farming to earn a living. For several years, farming was her main source of income, but her livelihood depended heavily on weather conditions.

In 2024, Sylvia planted rice and expected to harvest at least 25 bags. She had hoped to earn more than MWK2.2 million and use part of the money to buy a motorcycle which she planned to use for a motorcycle taxi business.

However, excessive rainfall affected her crop. Instead of harvesting the 25 bags she had expected, Sylvia harvested only 10. She earned about MWK900,000, far less than she had anticipated and her plans to buy the motorcycle had to be put on hold.

“The weather affected my farming. I expected a good harvest, but there was too much water and I harvested fewer bags than I had planned,” says Sylvia.

The experience made her realise the importance of having another source of income, one that was not dependent on the weather. That opportunity came through World Vision.

She was given a choice of different vocational courses including welding, carpentry and joinery, salon and cosmetics and tailoring. Sylvia chose tailoring because she had always wanted to learn the skill.

“When I heard about the training, I saw it as an opportunity to fulfil a dream I had held for a long time,” says Sylvia.

In January 2026, Sylvia began a four-month tailoring course supported by World Vision. During the training, she learned how to take measurements, cut fabric, operate a sewing machine and make different types of clothing.

After completing the course, World Vision provided Sylvia with a complete sewing machine set and other start-up materials to help her establish her business.

Today, customers regularly visit Sylvia to have their clothes sewn. She now makes at least 50 garments each week and earns at least MWK200,000 per month.

The income has enabled her to buy good clothes and household items that she previously struggled to afford. As the firstborn in her family, she is also able to support her younger sibling by helping to meet some of their needs.

“The support from World Vision has brought a big change to my life. I am earning more than before and I can now afford things that I could not afford in the past. I believe more young people should have opportunities to learn practical skills that can help them earn a living and become self-reliant,” says Sylvia.

Sylvia is among 60 young people from Mposa who received training in different vocational skills through World Vision’s support.