Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), in collaboration with PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT), organized a vocational social entrepreneurship training program focused on Muslim women’s garment tailoring. This program was held in partnership with the Class I Pondok Bambu Women’s Detention Center, located at Jalan Pahlawan Revolusi No. 38, RT 04/RW 03, Pondok Bambu, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, DKI Jakarta.

The tailoring workshop took place across two phases, held on July 12–16 and July 19–23, 2023. A total of 10 female inmates aged between 27 and 47 participated enthusiastically throughout the comprehensive training course.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Muslim women’s apparel tailoring was selected as the newest training module initiated by YIIM and INSIGHT based on its promising commercial prospects in the micro and small enterprise sector, suitable for both individual home-based businesses and cooperative ventures. The program aims to nurture inmates into skilled and competitive tailoring practitioners.

The curriculum commenced with pattern drafting, precise textile measurement, fabric cutting techniques, sewing machine operation, and the mastery of auxiliary tools such as needle gauges, thread varieties, and precision shear handling.

During the opening session on July 12, 2023, Chrisbiantoro, Chairman of the Board of YIIM, stated, “This entrepreneurial sewing training provides essential practical skills for detention center residents. The knowledge gained can be applied immediately during their detention period, continued while under correctional probation, and utilized upon full release to rebuild their lives within the community.”

Meanwhile, Muhammad Isnaeni Setiawan, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Coordinator of PT Insight Investments Management, highlighted, “Through our social investment allocations, INSIGHT is dedicated to partnering in the empowerment of inmates toward productivity and financial independence. Together with YIIM, we hope this course opens positive future pathways for the women of Class I Pondok Bambu Detention Center.”

Across the 10-day training, participants diligently absorbed sewing techniques and successfully tailored multiple high-quality Muslim abaya (gamis) dresses. Uripah, the master instructor, remarked, “This 10-day workshop provides a solid foundation for the inmates. I hope they continue honing these tailoring skills so they can produce finer garments and establish their own dressmaking businesses. We truly look forward to ongoing programs of this kind.”

Uripah brings extensive professional experience in custom dressmaking and fashion education, having taught at Community Learning Centers (PKBM) including PKBM Negeri 16 Rawasari, PKBM 2 Karet, and SMK Said Hakim Tanah Abang. Holding a national tailoring diploma and ready-to-wear entrepreneurship credentials, she currently operates her own tailoring business with three employees in Cempaka Putih Timur, Cempaka Putih District, Central Jakarta.

Upon graduation, each participant received an official certificate of completion. To evaluate pedagogical efficacy, YIIM and the Pondok Bambu Detention Center team administered standardized pre-tests and post-tests.

The pre-test findings indicated remarkable learning eagerness, even though most participants had no prior sewing experience. The subsequent post-test demonstrated exceptional progress, with participants effectively mastering fabric handling, pattern cutting, and machine stitching.

Separately, the Head of the Class I Pondok Bambu Detention Center, Dewi Sondari, conveyed her appreciation: “Active engagement in such vocational training serves as a key benchmark of good conduct and correctional receptiveness, which factors significantly into probation recommendations and other rehabilitative assessments. We hope this training creates an excellent portfolio of skills and fosters productive, resilient rehabilitation for our inmates.”

Salam Inspirasi!