Thanks to Reinhild Wendl

Schoolgirls bring their know-how to Africa

This year, a fashion show was created together with the schoolgirls from Tanzania(Bild: zVg)

In 2011, the hard-working Reinhild Wendl from Obervellach opened a tailoring school in Tanzania (Africa) - now she is further promoting the exchange between Austria and Africa by enabling WI'MO students to stay there.

"I want to set up long-term projects," says the 84-year-old. Reinhild Wendl - herself a master tailor - has already been honored as a "Krone" heart person for her commitment in Tanzania. Since 2011, she has been running a school in East Africa for young girls and women, whom she trains as seamstresses: "This is simply a project close to my heart," says Wendl, who is affectionately known as "Mama Wendy" in Africa.

This is what it looks like when fabric is purchased in Tanzania(Bild: zVg)

This year, she took the next step: "This year, for the first time, we sent three Carinthian women to Africa for a multi-week internship in cooperation with WI'MO Klagenfurt, where they put on their own fashion show with my girls," Wendl tells the Krone. The schoolgirls did everything on their own, from planning and drawing to purchasing and handicrafts.

African girls at school(Bild: zVg)

The girls also spent their free time together(Bild: zVg)

The successful project is set to continue next year: "The schoolgirls learn a lot about the culture and life in Africa - and also bring their know-how to my tailoring school," explains Wendl. That's why they are always students who are about to graduate from high school - so they can pass on what they have learned. The project is financed by Wendl and her association.