Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 – 3 Teachers of AWC Clarkston

The Women Who Teach More Than Sewing

At Amani Women Center, our teachers do much more than teach sewing. They create spaces where women heal, grow, build confidence, discover their strengths, and begin to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their families.

Every day, our instructors help transform lives. They teach technical skills, but they also nurture resilience, leadership, independence, and hope. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom and reaches into homes, families, and communities.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate three extraordinary women whose dedication, compassion, and leadership help make the Amani Sewing Academy a place of transformation and opportunity.

Thevika Perinpam, Lead Instructor

Each morning at our Clarkston Sewing Academy, Thevika Perinpam can be found guiding students through the details of garment construction, encouraging them to slow down, learn the process, and trust their abilities.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Thevika brings years of experience, discipline, and care to her role as Lead Instructor. She believes every woman who enters the classroom is capable of mastering a skill, earning an income, and building a brighter future. Her students quickly learn that excellence matters.

She challenges them because she believes in them. Whether she is helping someone perfect a seam, understand a pattern, or build confidence behind a sewing machine, Thevika consistently communicates the same message: You are capable. Keep going.

Her leadership helps create a classroom culture where women feel supported, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Yodit Michael, Teacher

Yodit’s story reflects the heart of Amani Women Center’s mission. She first entered the Sewing Academy as a student seeking an opportunity to learn new skills and create economic stability. After completing the program, she returned as an assistant instructor and eventually became a full-time teacher.

Today, she stands in front of the classroom as a powerful example of what is possible when women are given opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. Because she has personally walked the same journey as many of her students, Yodit brings a unique perspective and deep understanding to her work.

She knows the challenges many women face when adapting to a new country, learning new skills, and building confidence. Her experience allows her to encourage students not only as a teacher but as someone who truly understands their path.

Parwana Yousafi, Teacher

Like Yodit, Parwana is also a graduate of the Amani Sewing Academy. She brings patience, compassion, and encouragement to every classroom she enters. Many women who participate in our programs are navigating complex challenges, including language barriers, trauma, social isolation, housing concerns, healthcare needs, and family responsibilities. Parwana understands these realities because she has lived many of them herself.

She creates an environment where women feel welcomed, supported, and valued. Whether she is explaining a sewing technique, helping a student overcome frustration, or simply listening, Parwana helps create the sense of belonging that is so essential to healing and growth.

For many participants, the Sewing Academy becomes more than a training program; it becomes a community – “It’s like the United Nations”. Parwana plays an important role in making that community feel safe, encouraged, and empowered.

Building Leaders from Within

One of the most powerful aspects of the Amani Sewing Academy is our commitment to developing leaders from within our own community. Women enter the program as students. They gain skills, confidence, and experience. They begin earning income and supporting their families. Some go on to launch businesses, secure employment, or contribute to production initiatives such as Johari Africa. And some, like Yodit and Parwana, return to become teachers themselves.

This student-to-teacher pathway demonstrates the long-term impact of investing in refugee and immigrant women. New students learn from women who have walked the same journey and understand their experiences firsthand. The classroom itself becomes living proof that transformation is possible.

A Tribute to Our Teachers

As Founder and Executive Director, Doris Mukangu often reminds us, the success of the Sewing Academy is built on the commitment and dedication of the women who show up every day to serve others. Thevika, Yodit, and Parwana do far more than teach sewing. They mentor. They encourage. They inspire. They help women believe in themselves and discover opportunities they may never have imagined. Their work strengthens families, builds economic independence, promotes healing, and creates pathways toward self-sufficiency and leadership. During Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor and celebrate these remarkable women.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for believing in your students before they believe in themselves. And thank you for helping create a future where refugee and immigrant women can thrive.

Want to be part of this work?

Want to sponsor a student? Want to volunteer? Read more about ways to get involved at amaniwomencenter.org/sewingacademy.