The development of the first income-generating project.
In Okakarara, the first children’s aid project initiated by Dr. Michael Hoppe of the steps for children foundation was established. As part of the project, the first steps sewing room was founded in 2006. With the support of the “Augsburger Freunde Namibias”, the sewing room was realized as an income-generating initiative.
Who sews here? #handmadeby
In the sewing room, three single mothers earn their own income and are able to feed their families. 
Mbapaa has been working in the sewing room at steps since 2008. Her mother was one of the first seamstresses at steps for children. Her younger daughter was born in 2019, her son Rijameke is in 7th grade and after school he goes to steps afternoon care.
Samueline has been sewing here since 2019 and is the mother of 5 children. One of her children is severely restricted due to an illness. At steps, her son can be with Samueline while she works. The younger siblings are at steps kindergarten and preschool.
What is sewn here?
Bags, aprons, cushions, cases and waterproof tablet and laptop bags are produced here. Mouth and nose protection masks were also diligently sewn here at the height of the fatal Covid outbreak.
Where are the items sold?
Some are sold locally in Namibia to tourists, but also in Germany at school fairs, information events and African markets. Aprons specially made in the steps sewing room have also already been sold at the Plan Shop of the well-known aid organization Plan International in Germany. Companies that wanted to get involved through CSR took the opportunity and placed orders with steps for Christmas gifts from the sewing room for their customers. The waterproof laptop bags featuring company logos and steps labels are popular. You too can now place an order for a good cause.
Please note that sufficientlead time is required (min. 3 months).
Where do the proceeds go?
The surplus generated by the sewing room flows in full to the social steps (soup kitchen or kindergarten in Okakarara). The seamstresses continued to be employed despite the absence of tourists and the “standstill” during the pandemic. ♻️
14 years of the sewing room
For a full 14 years, the sewing room generated income for the social steps projects and thus contributed to Dr. Michael Hoppe’s vision – to sustainably help people on site. The sewing room also served as a safe space for the seamstresses and she contributed to making steps for children in Okakarara one of the largest employers in the region!
What happened next?
Thanks to a generous donor, we were able to Okakarara a new sewing room to be built. In the meantime, construction had to be paused due to the pandemic, but now, after almost 6 months, the new sewing room is ready. There is now space for more sewing machines and both production and sales can be increased in the post-corona period.
The new sewing room
Now it is no longer a corrugated iron shed where dust and heat make things difficult for the machines and seamstresses, but a solidly constructed house with an expanded showroom and a larger workshop area. The employees are pleased with a more pleasant indoor climate and more space for the sewing machines. Of course, Samueline and Mbapaa are also back. The new building brings joy, jobs and income, and we are certain that its sturdy construction will allow it to last for a long time and make an impact within the cycle of the social steps. You can read here what happened to the old sewing room and how steps managed to reuse the materials sensibly. Here you can now place an order for a good cause. How about Christmas gifts from the sewing room?
