Case Story: Victoria Amidu
My name is Victoria Amidu, I am 22 years old and currently pursuing a Textile and Fashion Designing course at DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational School. 
I am the first born in a family of 3, and I come from Nyakoko Village in Neno District. I completed my secondary school education when I was 16. I have always loved fashion and I used to save the pocket money I received from my family to pay for lessons which I was receiving from a local tailor.
I believed that if he taught me the basics, how to sew and join fabrics I would be set. However, my family did not see any future in tailoring as such I was sent to study business administration at the Polytechnic. My passion for fashion and designing grew while at the Polytechnic as I saw many unique designs both at the campus and when I moved around town. I began envisioning my life as a designer but didn’t really have a well planned strategy about how I would realize that dream.
My dreams become a reality when I was among the 30 youth selected for the three year Textile and Fashion Designing program by DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational School under the Sympany Sponsorship program. It has been an amazing experience being at the vocational school and learning so many things about the industry and realizing that it’s not just about sewing and joining fabrics as I had imagined when I was growing up.
I have always been a fan of Lily Alfonso, one of Malawi’s renowned fashion designers who has showcased her work on the international market. When she visited my school and gave a motivational speech and shared that she would like to work with one of us, I just hoped it would be me. And yes, she picked me as an intern. At her studio, I have learnt many things which include free hand cutting, cutting cloth without pattern, special designing, conducting market research, studying the markets, importance of teamwork, how to work with sequences, packaging and customer care. I am truly privileged to have her as my mentor.
My vision is to become a professional designer who will also put Malawi on the map. Most importantly, I want to become a role model for fellow youth whether boys or girls and inspire others in the way that Lily Alfonso inspires me.
I would not have come this far if it were not for the sponsorship, the support and encouragement from my instructors at Mikolongwe Vocational School and my fellow sponsored students. I remain thankful to Sympany for granting me this life changing opportunity.
Victoria.
