Jiwaka man sets up tailoring shop

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
TAILORING is not just for woman even though a lot of men and boys think so, says the owner of Waghi Tailoring shop in Banz.John Kondi, from Waghi Bridge area, said there was a big demand for tailoring in Banz, Jiwaka province, but much depended on quality.
Kondi dropped out of Fatima High School in 1973 at Grade 10 and went to work with FRC Clothing in Madang in 1976.He started as a packer, moved to the cutting section in 1980 and by then he had learnt much.That, he said, motivated him to take up short courses in dressing-making and designing in 1996.
He did courses by correspondence in the United States.
In 1997, he went back to his village.
He used his knowledge and skills to set up a tailoring shop at Waghi Bridge.
Kondi said poor market forced him to close.
So he went to work with Kenmix tailoring in Mt Hagen in 1998.
Poor working conditions forced him from the company and he moved on to A1 Tailoring, also based in Mt Hagen, in 2005. He resigned in September last year.
With the money he had saved he managed to purchase three heavy duty industrial sewing machines, costing K7,000, and started his own tailoring shop in Banz in March this year.
He said that he sewed all shapes and sizes.Kondi said he and his three fulltime employees produced uniforms for Ialibu Secondary in Southern Highlands, AEC School in Banz and Mt Hagen Tarangau Primary School.The company also produces uniforms for police personnel and security guards from various companies, wedding dresses, button-shirts, trousers, shorts, uniforms for Seventh-Day Adventist church, different provincial coloured long-sleeve shirts, etc.
He said his company had clients from as far as Central, Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and West Sepik. He said sewing was not just for women as many men often thought.
Kondi is planning to employ more staff and add machines to his business.