Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Staff of MSTC
Jane Madete
- Manager
Athuman Mlekwa - Senior Mechanic
Christina Mdachi
- Junior Mechanic
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Structure
1. What is it
2. Where is it
3. How it operates
4. Successes
5. Difficulties
6. Challenges
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
1. What is it?
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The MSTC is a joint venture between a Tanzanian organisation – Small
Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) – and Tools for Solidarity.
It was established to help the tailoring sector by providing
1. Material and training support
2. Increase the income generation of tailors
3. Improve overall maintenance of machines
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The project's main focus is
1. Rural women
2. Vocational training centres
3. People with disabilities
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
MSTC Centre at Mwanza Urban
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
MSTC Workshop and Office
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
MSTC Workshop – Checking treadles
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
2. Where is it?
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The MSTC (Mwanza Sewing and Training
Centre) is in Mwanza the second biggest city in
Tanzania
It provides support in 4 regions, covering
150,000 sq kilometres and a population of
9.3m, which is known as the 'Lake Zone
Region'
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
3. How it operates
It operates by proving a package of support to tailors
(includes sewing machines, training and material
support) within a self funding structure
It employs 3 staff who
1.Refurbish sewing machines sent by TFS
2.Develop networks to notify tailors of the project
3.Carry out an assessment and selection process
4.Provide sewing machines and training to tailors within
the project area
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
MSTC manager
Organisation)
and
chairperson
of
CHAWATA (Disability
Discus selection of PWD for support under funded programme
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
3.3 Training
Training is essential if tailors are to make the most of their
machine and to develop new skills

MSTC is supporting tailors by giving them training in
1. Operational and maintenance training
2. Design and /or embroidery training
3. Business training
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While attending training the tailors receive free accommodation,
breakfast, lunch and the materials for the course
The provision of free accommodation has more than trebled the
numbers receiving training. Last year MSTC trained 340 tailors
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Tailoring training at SIDO Offices
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Tailors learning Embroidery Techniques
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
3.6 Mechanics Training
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To help with maintenance of the machines MSTC selects
people from different districts and provides a 1 month intensive
course
While attending training the mechanics receive accommodation,
breakfast and lunch
The mechanics also receive a bicycle and a tool kit to enable
them to provide a repair service within their district
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Maintenance training
“The training I got from SIDO-MSTC on maintenance and repair of sewing
machines influenced my career, I’m now capable of undertaking all
necessary maintenances to any kind of sewing machine. Currently, I
have many customers from different places of Magu District, his helps
me to be able of sustaining my livelihoods ”
(Fundi at Nyamikoma)
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
4. Successes
1. Transfer of skills to local people running the project
2. MSTC allocates 3/400 sewing machines each year to tailors
3. Training for tailors in design and embroidery
4. Better maintenance by training mechanics
5. Development of locally produced treadles
6. MSTC has become a regional training centre and resource
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
MSTC has become recognized by the SIDO Headquarters as a
training organisation, the only tool organisation in Tanzania
that has gained such recognition
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
5. Difficulties:
1. Identifying tailors and working in districts far from Mwanza.
2. Treadle expensive to produce and need equipment to make them
3. Transport costs are high
4. Providing training is expensive and requires accommodation
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Treadles made in Mwanza
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Wheel Jig
Designed and made
By Joshua a local
metal fabricator in
Mwanza
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
6. Challenges:
1. Maintaining and improving services require the support of organisations like
TFS. Can MSTC develop other links to help it's work
2. Maintaining a supply of high quality treadles.
3. Providing training will play a more important role but how to finance this
4. Financially MSTC is being affected by high inflation and increasing material
and transport costs. This affects the budget and money MSTC can generate
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Feedback From Evaluation 2011
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Accessing Machines Locally
“I bought 2 machines from SIDO-MSTC which brought me dramatic
business changes. I later on decided to employ two more people
since my business was growing”
(Tailor in Runzewe-Bukombe)
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Acquiring New Skills
“Although I have been a tailor for quite some time, I could not know how
to make suit but when I got the trainings on dress designing from
SIDO-MSTC I started to make suits. Many people are now coming to
me for suits this has really impressed me and helped to improve my
income”
(Female Tailor (35 yrs) Kwimba District)
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre
Developing Networks
“I have been working with SIDO-Mwanza since the inception of this
project ,but compared to so many other projects, we have through
this project been able to increase our collaboration and networking
with the community and all other actors. As I person, I see this is a
success and an achievement to us all,
(Co-ordinator, Magu))
Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre