A Local woman in Lae who makes her living out of sewing is appealing to the national government to support Papua New Guinea women by creating a market for them.
Samantha Anami, is a tailor at one of the Department store in Lae’s top town believes most women have the skills and ability to sew clothes and sell them. But, these women need financial support and a well established market facility where they can sell their clothes at.
The 31-year-old, Samantha Anami, from Madang, is a single mother to three children. She started sewing in 2006, in Rabaul, after seeing that there is a demand for meri blouse. She used to work as a bank teller before quitting her job and venturing into sewing as her main source of revenue.
Samantha’s love for sewing grew after she discovered that she can make three times more than what she usually earned on a fortnight. She has not attended any sewing courses to become as skillful as she is today, rather, Samantha learnt the trade through perseverance and commitment.
Samantha, has tried to set up her own tailoring business but failed. She has tried yet to seek financial assistance from NDB. But needs start up capital. Today, she is one of the three tailors working at one of the newly opened departmental stores at top town in Lae. Everyday they get orders to sew special designs for certain occasions like Independence day, graduations, provincial days and other organised events.
Samantha believes there are a lot of women like her who have the skills and desire to do more. But, lacks financial support and a market to sell their handiwork. She believes PNG women need assistance in exposing their talents and skills to the market.
Instead of importing clothes from overseas, she adds, they can be employed to sew and sell in a well established facility.
