This past Friday our students began celebrating the end of the year with a first-ever Neema Fashion Show! Our third year students, who recently took their national certification exams in tailoring and dressmaking, worked with our educators and a professional fashion designer to prepare business and beach outfits, including accessories. Some of our Neema alumni even returned to participate as well! Neema’s chaplain came too, joining the students and staff for this celebratory event that concluded with a luncheon. 

One week before the event, Loitanit, our Business Skills and Development Mentor, said, “The fashion show planning is going on well. Most of the girls are done with their outfits and the staff have their outfits ready too. I have one of my friends who will be helping me with the decor. We are all excited about the day.”

The day started with Neema’s chaplain sharing. Then after a preparation video, the students walked the catwalk showing off their work. Neema hired a local photographer and videographer to get shots of the students on the runway (see below) and take video of the event (coming soon!). A handful of judges and the students voted on the best outfit, and the day concluded with a celebratory luncheon. 

Talking about the Fashion Show’s significance, Loitanit also said, “Not only does the Fashion Show give them an opportunity to be creative, make what they want, and show off the skills they’ve learned over the past three years, it also boosts their confidence as they head off after graduation to begin working and providing for themselves and their families.”