Sewing a Future: The Story of the One Day Training Centre
Trish Carrig was part of the story of One Day from the very beginning. Years back, her son had travelled to Lesotho and returned with stories that stirred something in her. She approached us about running a trip to Lesotho, and that conversation led to our very first visit in 2013. From that point, she remained closely connected to the developing work on the mountain.
Years later, as One Day began exploring sustainability initiatives that could strengthen the surrounding community, Trish saw an opportunity. With a background in sewing and practical skills training, she recognised that textile skills could provide meaningful employment pathways. The textile industry is one of the largest employers in Lesotho. Developing competence in this area creates real economic opportunity.
What followed was not a short visit or a temporary project. Trish relocated to Lesotho for several years to establish a sewing school at HaLebesa.
Building a Workshop from Vision
The training centre required more than ideas. A workshop building was constructed specifically to serve as a dedicated training space. Trish fundraised and supported the development of that workshop, creating a permanent resource for vocational training within the village.
At the same time, she began gathering industrial sewing machines and equipment in Ireland. These machines were later shipped out in the container that brought many other resources to One Day. When they arrived on the mountain, staff and volunteers worked together to install them inside the newly completed workshop.
The transformation was visible. What had once been an empty space on our site became a functioning training centre equipped with professional-grade machines.
Training, Discipline, and Confidence
The early sessions required patience. Women from the village gathered around tables learning how to thread machines, measure fabric, and follow patterns. Some had never used sewing equipment before. Progress was steady.
Over time, skill levels increased. Students moved from basic stitching to producing school uniforms and tailored garments. Precision improved. Confidence grew.
One trainee showed particular commitment and aptitude. She later received additional training and now serves as an assistant within the programme. This development reflects the sustainability of the centre. Skills are not only being transferred. Leadership is emerging locally.
The most powerful moment came during the graduation fashion show. Women who had once hesitated to sit at a machine stood proudly beside garments they had designed and sewn themselves. Models walked in clothing produced entirely within the workshop. Applause filled the room. Families attended. The community celebrated.
That evening marked a shift. The sewing school was no longer an experiment. It had become a functioning training centre producing skill, dignity, and visible results.
“A long time ago, God placed a passion on my heart to teach a class of students how to make their own outfits—then to see them wear those outfits at their graduation. Yesterday, I fulfilled that passion, and it was an amazing feeling of achievement. I thank God for the gifts He has given me, and I can’t wait to fulfill more. God is great, and I love Him with all my heart.”
Sustainability with Purpose
The sewing school aligns with our wider sustainability vision. Strengthening income-generating skills reduces vulnerability within households. Producing uniforms locally lowers costs. Skills that are relevant to the national textile industry open pathways for employment beyond the village.
This initiative reflects our belief that development must be practical and relational. The workshop is not simply about sewing. It is about restoring confidence, creating opportunity, and strengthening families.
Faith has shaped this journey consistently. Trish’s decision to relocate, invest financially, and give years of her life was rooted in obedience and conviction. Within the workshop, days often begin with prayer and encouragement. The atmosphere combines discipline with warmth. The sewing machines are tools. The deeper work is the cultivation of resilience and belief.
The Power of Offering What You Have
Trish did not arrive as a professional development consultant. She came as a retired woman with practical skills and a willingness to serve. Her contribution demonstrates that expertise accumulated over a lifetime can be multiplied in unexpected ways.
The One Day Training Centre stands today because one person offered what she had and trusted that it could make a difference. The impact now extends beyond individual trainees to families and the wider community.
As the centre continues to grow, we remain committed to equipping women with skills that translate into opportunity. We are grateful for Trish’s vision, perseverance, and generosity, and for the women who continue to show up each week ready to learn.
The sewing school began with relationship. It continues through commitment. And it is shaping a future stitched together with skill, dignity, and hope.
