The threads of support
Kundakala is a social enterprise, part-funded by the Council, which empowers ethnically diverse women through free sewing classes
Photos: Zen Indigo
The rhythmic clattering of sewing machines is intercepted by the low hum of women chatting.
Bright swathes of material are draped on the tables of the cool, light-filled room at a Hackney community centre, ready to be made into something new.
Women deftly transform rolls of colourful cotton and bold African prints into bags, bookmarks, aprons, and clothing.
This is Kundakala; a social enterprise founded by Poornima Kirloskar-Saini to empower ethnically diverse, low-income women through sewing classes.
Poornima explains: “The reason for choosing sewing is because in some ethnic minority households there are very clear-cut rules in a family unit.
“The men go to work, and the women look after the children. In some cultures it’s frowned upon to go out to work in public. Sewing can be done in their homes.”
The programme operates on a three-step journey. The first stage, ‘Make and Mend,’ teaches basic sewing and provides one-to-one mentoring. Crucially, graduates receive a free sewing machine, enabling them to start working from home immediately.
The second stage focuses on alterations and upcycling, before women graduate to the ‘Kundakala Collective,’ where they conduct paid repairs, and sell handmade items online.
For Sania, who arrived in Hackney from Pakistan two years ago, the weekly sewing sessions are also a vital point of connection.
She says: “I feel emotionally satisfied when I’m sewing. I have no family members or friends here, but when I come here and sew I feel better because it engages me.
“These sewing lessons are sociable – I get a chance to communicate and meet different cultures. It gives me confidence.”
Poornima explains how many of these women are often under-served because conventional support does not always align with their cultural realities.
She says: “Some of these women don’t interact with mainstream support because there’s a lack of trust. They come to me because that relationship has been built.
“This is why we must exist – because we can reach people the mainstream support can’t.
Poornima Kirloskar-Saini holds up homemade bunting
We can help them save money, reduce debt, and explore an avenue around starting their own business.”
The positive impact of Kundakala is clear. Over 213 women have participated in the programmes to date, with 21 graduates earning an income through sewing.
The programmes also give many women their first experience of formal adult education in the UK.
The women – from Nigeria, the Philippines, Ghana, India, Jamaica and many other countries – gain a recognised qualification from a local college and are further encouraged by the Council to enrol on English courses.
Maggie has been at Kundakala for three years, and helps the less experienced sewers. She carefully feeds a square of fabric through her machine and says: “We make friends and we communicate together. I come here and feel better – it has become my hobby.
“When I wear something I made, I feel proud. I am happy when I sew. I make bags, clothes, make-up bags and aprons. I sell them online! Kundakala has given me these skills and now I have my own income.”
Saida, who joined in January, adds: “Space is always an issue at home, because we all live in overcrowded houses, but here there is space to sew.
“I like the fact that it’s challenging as well as casual. You get a product at the end of the day – it’s satisfying.”
Welcome Hackney
The Council has a dedicated refugee, migrant and asylum seeker service called Welcome Hackney, which supports sanctuary seekers in a number of ways.
This includes advice with language classes, utility bill payments, school registration, claiming benefits, education, NHS health care and help to find a job.