Our Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women provides sewing and life skills training to 30 women aged 20-35 from the remote areas of Qinghai Province, China, each year. The program runs for three months, during which our participants acquire tailoring skills, basic literacy, and money management skills. These skills will help them earn a sustainable income that can support themselves and their families.
One of our 2025 graduates is Tashi Tsho. She shares her story through a letter.
“My name is Tashi Tsho. I was born into a humble rural family with my parents and a younger brother. My father, after years of hard farm work, developed chronic health problems and could no longer do heavy labor. With my parents relying on farming for income, our household was extremely poor and unstable.
To ensure that my younger brother could continue his studies, I made the difficult decision to leave school after finishing primary education. I stayed home to help with farm work and sometimes took on odd jobs in town, but the income was very limited, and our family struggled for years just to get by.
Everything began to change when the village committee recommended the opportunity to join the HET program. I knew this was a rare chance, so I devoted myself completely to learning. From the very basics—identifying fabrics, marking lines, and operating a sewing machine—I gradually advanced to measuring, cutting, sewing techniques, and garment alterations. My teacher often praised me for being quick to learn and my attention to detail. By the end of the course, I passed the assessment with excellent results and was even awarded a “Top Student” certificate. For the first time, I felt confident that I had a real skill to rely on.
After finishing the training, I first worked in a small garment workshop in town, gaining practical experience. Later, with encouragement from friends, I rented a small shop and opened my own tailoring business.
Today, my shop offers custom-made clothing such as qipao, dresses, and trousers, as well as alteration services—resizing garments, replacing zippers, and mending tears. I even sew household items like curtains and bedding. Because of my good craftsmanship and fair pricing, I have built up a steady customer base. Alterations, in particular, are always in demand, keeping me busy almost every day.
On average, after deducting rent and utilities, my monthly income is between RMB 4,000 and 5,500 (USD 582 and 787). While this may not seem high, it is several times what I used to earn doing farm work or odd jobs, and it has given my family a level of stability we never had before. I also have more flexibility in my schedule, which allows me to better care for my parents.
This new skill has truly transformed my family’s life. My income is now the main support of the household, covering daily expenses and my father’s medical needs, while leaving some savings. The financial pressure has lifted, and I can see more smiles on my parents’ faces. I am also able to support my younger brother so that he can fully focus on his education, which brings me great pride.
I am deeply grateful to Captivating International and Husky Energy for supporting this training program. I also thank my teachers for their patient guidance, and my family and customers for their constant support. Without them, I would not have come this far.
Looking ahead, I plan to keep improving my skills by learning more advanced and fashionable designs, perhaps through online courses or short training programs. I also hope to expand my business by opening online booking channels and taking small group orders for uniforms. In the long term, my dream is to save enough to renovate my parents’ old home so they can live more comfortably and enjoy their later years.
This tailoring skill has not only given me a livelihood but also renewed hope. It has changed my life and my family’s future, and I am determined to keep working hard toward even brighter days.”
This program is fully funded by Husky Energy
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