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Start-up fund for Elmarie: reopening a sewing studio after the demolition of the market

Elmarie has run a sewing studio for six years; the demolition of the market destroyed the equipment, and $750 will put it back on its feet.

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Elmarie J. Mokoena
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Johannesburg
For six years I have run a sewing studio in Johannesburg. In November, the demolition of the market took a cutting table and overlocker. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Wednesday, and I employed 1 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 4 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. Once I'm back on my feet I plan to hire back the people I had to let go. Where the $750 goes: • Replacing a cutting table and overlocker: $300 • Initial stock: fabric: $230 • Shop repairs and licensing: $130 • Working capital for the first month: $90 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen. - Elmarie
#small-business#livelihood#restart

Updates from Elmarie

  1. We're at 59% thanks to 12 of you. we've started the first stage. More news soon.

  2. Quick update: $286 raised so far (38%). we've started the first stage. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  3. Good news. Because of your gifts ($80 in total) I made the first payment toward replacing a cutting table and overlocker. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Lucía G. Franco 🇨🇴 · $25
  • Amparo A. Ramírez 🇲🇽 · $10
  • Winda Fitri Kurniawan 🇮🇩 · $10
  • Jameson T. Park 🇬🇧 · $100
  • Kunal S. Kapoor 🇮🇳 · $75

    “Rooting for you. Only $75 but hope it helps. - Thrissur”

  • Anonymous 🇹🇿 · $25

    “Hope the February deadline works out. - Zanzibar City”

  • Andrés A. Aguilar 🇲🇽 · $30
  • Christopher S. Santiago 🇳🇿 · $20
  • Rutuja H. Kothari 🇮🇳 · $5
  • Vishnu B. Nayak 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Ori Meir Azoulay 🇮🇱 · $146
  • Sachin J. Phadke 🇮🇳 · $50

    “Thought of Elmarie all day after reading this. - Mumbai”

  • Nghĩa Hậu Le 🇻🇳 · $50

    “Happy to help. Hope the February deadline works out. - Hanoi”

  • John Stewart 🇬🇧 · $10
  • Maverick N. Gomez 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Henry M. Thompson 🇺🇸 · $10

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Questions & comments

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  • Paresh F. Bhide

    Thanks for sharing this, Elmarie. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. Greetings from Casablanca.

    • Riaan Ndlovu

      Sending love. Shared this with my family. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. All the best

      • Ephrem Dereje Nigussie

        Wishing you the best. Hope you get there. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Take care.

        • Ji-min Bo-ra Seo

          Sending good thoughts, Elmarie. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I went through something like this 8 years ago and strangers helped me out

          • Pavel Dmytro NovikovQuestion

            Is there anything that isn't money that would help Elmarie?

            • Toàn Dũng Diep

              You're not alone. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. After 7 years in nursing I know how hard it's to ask for anything.

              • Jin-woo Jae-hyun NaID verified

                Hope it all works out, Elmarie. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier.

                • Tiffany C. Yates

                  Hope it all works out, Elmarie. This could happen to any of us. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Greetings from San Diego.

                  • Hasitha Janaka Pathirana

                    So sorry you're going through this, Elmarie. Small businesses are the heart of Johannesburg. Hope you're open again soon. Please keep us posted

                    • Cameron R. Bailey

                      Wishing you the best, Elmarie. Small businesses are the heart of Johannesburg. Hope you're open again soon

                      • Noah Wagner

                        Sending love, Elmarie. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. God bless.

                        • Amelia B. Nguyen

                          Hope things get better soon, Elmarie. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. My neighbor had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Love from Wrocław

                          • Elena A. Quintero

                            Sending strength. Shared this with my family. I'm in construction myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Greetings from Madrid.

                            $586 raised of $750

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