The red, black, and white face masks sent to JAMS from DeKalb County, Illinois, are truly a gift that keeps on giving. Not only are the masks helping to keep JAMS students and staff healthy, they now form a part of a vocational training project.

When Rob Stoll, organizer of the JAMS face mask project, packed the masks to send to JAMS, he included the mask pattern, instructions, and extra thread, elastic, and fabric. He knew that JAMS already had five sewing machines as part of a Rotary International funded project. Now that the Form Four students (seniors) have returned to campus, they are learning to sew masks.

Tailoring is a good career in Kenya where much clothing is still ordered custom-made rather than bought at retail stores. Every term, JAMS students who are interested in acquiring sewing skills help make new school uniforms as students need them. In this way, these students can explore whether tailoring could be a career for them after graduation from JAMS. This on-campus vocational project also saves JAMS money compared to hiring a professional tailor to make the school’s uniforms.