Our Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women provides sewing and life skills training to 30 women in remote areas in Qinghai Province each year. For over three months, our participants gain tailoring skills, basic literacy, and money management knowledge—skills that enable them to earn sustainable incomes, support their families, and achieve financial independence. 

 

A group of women attentively sit in a sewing class, surrounded by sewing machines. The room conveys focus and community learning. A baby is seen in the foreground.
Trainees listening attentively.

 

Last June 2,  we opened the sewing training for 2026!  Our participants are consistent with our past demographic: financially disadvantaged indigenous women aged 20-35, single mothers, and women confined to their hometowns to care for elderly family members and children. Despite their living circumstances, all trainees share an identical aspiration: to master a useful skill and build self-reliance through it. 

To pursue our goal, we asked for the help of our long-term instructor to deliver the three-month program. The same instructor has seen different faces before, but the pattern is always the same. 

 

A group of women intently observe a woman in a pink dress pointing to a paper near a sewing machine. They appear focused and engaged.A group of women intently observe a woman in a pink dress pointing to a paper near a sewing machine. They appear focused and engaged.
The instructor teaching the trainees how to make measurements.

 

A woman in a leather jacket holds a child with a drawing. They sit in a cozy room with sewing machines and other women engaged in conversation.
A trainee proudly shows off what she just learned.

 

The beginnings are always hard, and challenges are inevitable for any project. On the opening day, thirty trainees were scheduled to attend the inauguration ceremony. However, only 25 participants turned up punctually due to distance or personal reasons. The weather conditions interfered with our documentation and on-site recording. While these instances are not ideal, they are common setbacks among grassroots projects regardless of the schedule or location. Still, there is something new to learn with every hurdle we encounter, and we will use this information to improve our next programs. 

 

A group of women smiling and holding a banner that reads, "Husky: Thank You for supporting the 2026 Tailoring Skills Program for Women." Outdoor setting with greenery.
This year’s batch of trainees happily pose for their first group photo.

 

The inauguration followed standard institutional procedures. The programme administrator formulated classroom rules and codes of conduct. After explaining it, every participant signed a voluntary training undertaking and a personal information authenticity affidavit. Now that that part is clear and settled, the lead instructor outlined the full curriculum before formal training kicked off, providing one-on-one introductory tutoring for all attendees.

The day’s schedule was wrapped up by conducting follow-up interviews with the trainees and conducting several family visits. 

We cannot wait to share the successes of this batch soon! For now, we are rooting for them and hope that all goes well (and it will!)

 

Left image: Two women stand in front of a tent on a grassy hillside under a cloudy sky, conveying a sense of community. Right image: The same women sit indoors on the floor, smiling and chatting warmly, with vibrant decorations behind them, evoking a feeling of connection.
We visited the homes of some of the trainees for a follow-up interview.

 

 

 

This program is fully funded by Husky Energy

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China Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women