Ferial Olla

“The best decision I’ve made”

Upon taking early retirement from a very challenging career after 30 years, I felt sure I had exhausted my ability to learn anything new. My daughter-in-law gave me Module 1 as a gift as I had expressed my regret that I wished I could sew myself clothes as I was never satisfied with store bought ones.

When my journey with SSA began, little did I realise that here I would not only learn to sew, I was launched into a real world with diverse cultures and people from all walks of life. Each one sharing a common goal to empower themselves. At the helm was our teacher and mentor, Farhana, who, with so much patience and knowledge, took us through our lessons. After each lesson, we grew more confident and excited to boast our progress with each finished garment. By the time my 16 lessons were finished, I felt elated but sad that it was over. I now knew that I needed to continue my journey as there was so much more I could do and how empowered I felt that I could now sew garments, start to finish, in just 16 lessons.

I enrolled for the next module and can confidently say that I am able to sew, not only for myself, but others as well. I never imagined that would have been possible but all credit goes to Farhana for her unending patience and unfaulting positivity. Her words of wisdom and guidance, together with that bubbly personality, really made me look forward to every lesson. I still miss our times together. If anything, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. When comparing, I spent 30 years in a career I walked away from but felt so empowered in 16 weeks of lessons. Farhana’s willingness to adapt the course and lessons to suit our needs really helped us achieve our personal goals, not forgetting how much I now save tailor-making my own clothes.