Sometimes, a skill we have had for years can become the beginning of a new opportunity.
Zinovia qualified as a seamstress many years ago. Over time, she continued sewing for herself, keeping close to an activity she knew well and enjoyed.
As time went by, she wanted to further her training, strengthen her knowledge, and develop new skills that would allow her to work at a more professional level.
To take this step, Zinovia chose to attend a sewing and pattern-making course, with the support provided through the Women and Girls Scholarship Program of AO Ophelia.
“I received a scholarship from the Ophelia Center, which gave me the opportunity to continue learning and improving my skills.”
From experience to new skills
The course gave Zinovia the opportunity to update and deepen her knowledge, learn new aspects of sewing and pattern-making, and strengthen her practical skills.
For her, this experience meant more than acquiring new knowledge. It was an opportunity to turn the experience she had accumulated over the years into a stronger foundation for her professional development.
A course can sometimes be the beginning of a change, but it can also be a way to give a new direction to a skill we already have. For Zinovia, it was an opportunity to continue learning and to gain greater confidence in what she can do.
Investing in skills creates opportunities
The Women and Girls Scholarship Program of AO Ophelia was created to support women and girls in the southern region of the Republic of Moldova who want to acquire new skills, further develop their profession, or create new professional opportunities.
During the first edition, 8 women applied, and 4 were selected to receive scholarships of up to MDL 20,000. The beneficiaries chose different areas of training — sewing, makeup, massage, and accounting — according to their interests, experience, and professional goals.
The scholarships were funded through proceeds raised during the “Ophelia for Women” event, held on March 6, 2025. In this way, the community’s contribution was transformed into concrete opportunities for women who chose to invest in their own skills.
At the Ophelia Center, we believe that professional development begins with the desire to learn and continues through opportunities that allow women to make the most of their skills.
Zinovia’s story is one of four stories from the first edition of the Women and Girls Scholarship Program — four women, four fields, and four different journeys of professional development.
Zinovia During Her Sewing and Pattern-Making Course
Moments from her learning and professional development journey.
