CNU Balamban Empowers Nangka Community Through Livelihood: “Teach Me How to Fish – Sewing” Extension Project

On June 20, 2025, the faculty and extension proponents of Cebu Normal University – Balamban Campus conducted a skills-based training session under the extension project “Teach Me How to Fish – Sewing” at the Nangka Barangay Hall. This initiative is part of CNU Balamban’s continuing commitment to empowering local communities through livelihood-oriented education.

The session focused on one of the most essential steps in sewing—accurate measurement—specifically in preparing to create seat covers. Community participants, with hands-on guidance from CNU faculty members and the valuable support of Kalahi beneficiaries, learned how to properly take measurements using tailor’s tapes, mark fabric correctly, and consider allowances for seams and fit.

Beyond the technical aspect, the session emphasized the importance of precision, patience, and attention to detail, all of which are vital when crafting seat covers that are functional, well-fitted, and aesthetically pleasing. Measuring different seat dimensions required collaboration, practical thinking, and hands-on engagement—all of which the participants showed with enthusiasm and focus.

This phase of the project aimed to build a solid foundation for further sessions in cutting, stitching, and assembling the actual seat covers. It demonstrated that every stitch starts with a measurement—and when done with care, it becomes the starting point of a skill that can bring long-term benefit to both households and small-scale enterprises.

As simple as it may seem, this session is a meaningful first step in equipping the Nangka community with sustainable skills and a deeper sense of self-reliance—one measurement at a time.

Words: Jean C. Toleba