Nakuru teacher devises fun way to empower girls through crocheting
Sandra Hawi holds some of the handbags she has made.
The talk on crocheting at times sparks the memories of the multi-coloured vitambaa used at home or at your grandparent’s back in the days.
However, the modern era of crocheting has changed. Creatives in the fashion industry are building brands from it.
Mtaa Wangu caught up with Sandra Hawi, a biology and agriculture teacher from a school in Nakuru who doubles up as a fashion designer.
The 26-year-old is not your ordinary teacher. She runs Hawi designs; a fashion brand built around crocheting.
Sanda Hawi holds up a mat that she has made using her crocheting skills.
But beyond that, Hawi has taken it upon herself to share her self-taught crocheting skill with grade six students. Despite being a high school teacher, Hawi notes she enjoys seating with children and helping them learn this craft.
“The Competency Based Curriculum(CBC) needs children to learn crocheting. While running a school program in western Kenya last year, I realized children missed out on reaching their full potential on crocheting because the teacher to some extent lacked the know-how of crocheting,” she notes.
Consequently, she engaged schools through her ‘Cords for Change’ program where she teaches primary school teachers and pupils on crocheting.
“My hope is, if they start early they can perfect their craft and someday use it to their benefit. You can never go wrong with life skills,” says Sandra.
Other than grade six students, she has also roped in her former students to help them earn a living through crocheting.
“I have seen some of my students being victims of early pregnancy while some finished school and stayed jobless. Through crocheting, I have brought together some of my students and opened my home to them during weekends for crocheting learning,” she reveals.
A collection of handbags that Sandra Hawi has made with the help of her students.
At this point, she notes they produce bags, mats and different clothing outfits which are put out in the market. Many around her now have a skill that can bring them income.
What started as a way to express her desire for fashion in 2020, is now a life changing experience for her former students, grade six students and more importantly school teachers who benefit from her classes to be able to empower more children in classes.
Some of the schools she has taught crocheting include ; Kajoro primary school ,DEB Mauko primary ,Makongeni primary ,Manyole primary and Shirandala primary.