Gibli is a migrant from Senegal. He started work in Italy as a field laborer, living in makeshift shacks by the side of fields in Puglia. Now a sewing course has offered him extra possibilities for the future, as a dressmaker.
The changes to Gibli's life since he arrived in Italy have been relatively rapid. Soon after arriving, Gibli found work as a field laborer and was living in makeshift shacks by the sides of fields in Mezzanone, a few kilometers from the Puglian city of Foggia.
Over a thousand migrants lived in similar circumstances around him. Most of them are employed in agriculture.
A place on a sewing course, has given Gibli new hopes in life and given him the chance to learn a profession, as well as a more secure roof over his head. The course was offered via the social cooperative Metraining.
Now, Gibli is hoping to find a job and already has a place to live in an apartment in the municipality of Poggio Imperiale, where the sewing course took place.
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Only man to attend the course
Gibli is the only man to attend the sewing laboratory. Before attending the course, Gibli told ANSA he had never held a needle or thread in his hands. Nor had he used scissors to cut and sew.
"I like this laboratory," explains Gibli in broken Italian. "I had never sewed before. I am learning many things."
Gibli is attentive and focused, say staff. He uses the sewing machine with great precision and cooperates. He and the other participants on the course were offered the course for free, as part of a program of courses for unemployed persons in the Puglia region.
"They created a lovely exchange, and participation among the group. They, it must be said, 'sewed relations'," commented some of the Medtraining staff.
Course participants created bags using recycled materials, to try and encourage respect for the environment and sustainability as well as teaching new skills.
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New skills for the future
Under the careful guidance of Pina Suriano and Alfonsina Cerrone, the participants acquire useful skills in the sewing sector that they will be able to use in the job market. Medtraining is an accredited professional training entity.
Alongside the sewing skills Gibli also attended an Italian language course. In addition, participants are also offered a variety of social and cultural activities allowing him to interact with others and with the community where he lives.
Most of all, he continues to sew, in particular in the evening, when there is no one at the facility. He was given access to a sewing machine there that he uses constantly, to the point of running services for the laboratory.
The course -- which also included a remuneration of 3.50 euros per hour of participation -- was destined for those who wanted to learn about sewing, to learn how to create simple garments, starting from a pattern to creating actual clothes. With a certificate in his pocket, Gibli is hoping his new-found skills will open doors to job opportunities in the future.